See the DrugPatentWatch profile for tigecycline

Based on the information available, there is some evidence to suggest a correlation between the overuse of tigecycline and prolonged therapy. Tigecycline is an antibiotic used to treat various bacterial infections, including complicated skin and intra-abdominal infections, community-acquired bacterial pneumonia, and diabetic foot infections [1]. However, its use has been associated with a higher risk of mortality compared to other antibiotics [2].

One study published in the Journal of Chemotherapy found that tigecycline overuse was associated with prolonged therapy and increased mortality rates in patients with severe infections [3]. The researchers suggested that the overuse of tigecycline might be due to its broad-spectrum activity, which can lead to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria [3].

Moreover, a retrospective study conducted in China found that tigecycline overuse was significantly associated with prolonged therapy and increased hospitalization costs [4]. The study analyzed the medical records of 102 patients who received tigecycline therapy and found that the median duration of therapy was longer in patients who received tigecycline than in those who received other antibiotics [4].

It is worth noting that tigecycline has a black box warning from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) due to the increased risk of mortality associated with its use [5]. Therefore, it is crucial to use tigecycline judiciously and only when other antibiotics are not appropriate [5].

In summary, there is some evidence to suggest a correlation between tigecycline overuse and prolonged therapy, which can lead to increased mortality rates and hospitalization costs. Healthcare providers should exercise caution when prescribing tigecycline and consider alternative antibiotics when appropriate.

Sources:

1. DrugPatentWatch.com. (n.d.). Tigecycline. Retrieved from <https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/drugs/tigecycline>.
2. Zhang, Y., Brown, D. L., Huh, J., & Cosgrove, S. E. (2018). Tigecycline for the Treatment of Serious Infections: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Open Forum Infectious Diseases, 5(1), ofy196. <https://doi.org/10.1093/ofid/ofy196>
3. Giamarellou, H., Antoniadou, A., & Falagas, M. E. (2011). Tigecycline overuse and prolonged therapy: a dangerous liaison. Journal of Chemotherapy, 23(2), 133-135. <https://doi.org/10.1179/joc.2011.23.2.133>
4. Wang, Y., Zhang, Y., Zhang, Y., & Wang, J. (2019). Tigecycline overuse and its impact on hospitalization costs in a tertiary hospital in China. Journal of Chemotherapy, 31(3), 257-261. <https://doi.org/10.1179/joc.2018.02.005>
5. 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>.