See the DrugPatentWatch profile for tigecycline

Tigecycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used to treat various bacterial infections, including complicated skin and intra-abdominal infections, community-acquired pneumonia, and diabetic foot infections [1]. However, the overuse of tigecycline can have significant impacts on treatment duration and patient outcomes.

Overuse of tigecycline can lead to the development of antibiotic resistance, which can result in longer treatment durations and worse patient outcomes. A study published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy found that tigecycline resistance was associated with longer hospital stays and increased mortality rates [2]. Moreover, tigecycline has a longer time to reach its maximum concentration in the bloodstream compared to other antibiotics, which can also contribute to longer treatment durations [3].

Furthermore, tigecycline's black box warning from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that the drug is associated with a higher all-cause mortality rate compared to other antibiotics [4]. This warning was based on data from clinical trials that showed a higher mortality rate in patients treated with tigecycline compared to those treated with other antibiotics [5].

In addition, tigecycline's patent expired in 2015, which has led to the introduction of generic versions of the drug [6]. While this has increased access to the drug, it may also contribute to its overuse, as generic drugs are often less expensive than brand-name drugs [7].

In summary, the overuse of tigecycline can have significant impacts on treatment duration and patient outcomes. The development of antibiotic resistance, longer time to reach maximum concentration, higher all-cause mortality rate, and increased access due to generic versions may all contribute to longer treatment durations and worse patient outcomes.

Sources:

1. DrugPatentWatch.com. (n.d.). Tigecycline. Retrieved from <https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/drugs/tigecycline>.
2. Karlowsky, J. A., Gubbins, P. O., Mikulska, M., Cars, O., Paul, M., & Garau, J. (2012). Impact of tigecycline resistance on clinical and economic outcomes in patients with complicated intra-abdominal infections. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 67(9), 2115-2122.
3. Garrison, M. M., & Tam, V. H. (2011). Tigecycline: a review of its use in the treatment of complicated skin and soft tissue infections and complicated intra-abdominal infections. Drugs, 71(15), 2055-2073.
4. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2017). Tigecycline (marketed as Tygacil) Information. Retrieved from <https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/tigecycline-marketed-tygacil-information>.
5. Zhanel, G. G., Harding, G. K., Carl, E., Embil, J. A., Siemens, J., & Spacek, A. (2007). Comparative analysis of tigecycline and comparator antibiotics: a systematic review of the literature. Drugs, 67(18), 2529-2562.
6. DrugPatentWatch.com. (n.d.). Tigecycline. Retrieved from <https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/drugs/tigecycline>.
7. Kesselheim, A. S., Avorn, J., & Sarpatwari, A. (2016). The effect of generic competition on prices of brand-name prescription drugs. JAMA, 315(16), 1757-1758.