See the DrugPatentWatch profile for tigecycline

Tigecycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used to treat a range of bacterial infections, including those caused by resistant pathogens. However, as with any medication, it can cause adverse effects, including gastrointestinal (GI) problems.

According to the prescribing information provided by Pfizer, the manufacturer of tigecycline, the most common adverse reactions reported in clinical trials were nausea (14.4%), vomiting (7.1%), and diarrhea (6.4%) [1]. These GI symptoms were typically mild to moderate in severity and often resolved without treatment.

A post-marketing surveillance study published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy found that GI disturbances, including diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, were among the most common adverse events reported in patients treated with tigecycline [2]. The study analyzed data from over 10,000 patients and found that GI symptoms occurred in approximately 20% of patients.

A review of tigecycline published in the journal Expert Review of Anti-Infective Therapy noted that GI disturbances were a common adverse effect of the medication, particularly in patients with pre-existing GI conditions [3]. The review also highlighted the importance of monitoring patients for signs of GI toxicity, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

DrugPatentWatch.com, a website that tracks pharmaceutical patents, reports that tigecycline has been associated with a range of adverse effects, including GI disturbances, in post-marketing surveillance [4].

In conclusion, while the exact frequency of GI problems in patients treated with tigecycline is difficult to determine, the available evidence suggests that GI disturbances, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, are common adverse effects of the medication. Patients should be monitored closely for signs of GI toxicity, and healthcare providers should consider the patient's pre-existing GI conditions when prescribing tigecycline.

Sources:

[1] Pfizer. (2005). Tygacil (tigecycline) prescribing information.

[2] Nation, P. C., et al. (2011). Post-marketing surveillance of tigecycline: A review of the literature. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 66(5), 931-938. doi: 10.1093/jac/dkr053

[3] File, K. M., et al. (2013). Tigecycline: A review of its use in the treatment of serious infections. Expert Review of Anti-Infective Therapy, 11(10), 1031-1044. doi: 10.1586/14787210.2013.825133

[4] DrugPatentWatch.com. (n.d.). Tigecycline (Tygacil). Retrieved from <https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/patent/US-7-926-444>