Tygacil

Generic Name: tigecycline (tye ge SYE kleen)
Brand Names: Tygacil

What is Tygacil?

Tygacil (tigecycline) is an antibiotic that fights bacteria in the body.

Tygacil is used to treat many different bacterial infections of the skin or the digestive system, as well as pneumonia.

Tygacil may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Tygacil

Do not use Tygacil if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby or cause permanent tooth discoloration later in life.

Tygacil can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non hormone method of birth control (such as a condom, diaphragm, spermicide) to prevent pregnancy while using Tygacil.

You should not use Tygacil if you are allergic to tigecycline. Children should not use Tygacil. Tigecycline can cause permanent yellowing or graying of the teeth in children younger than 8 years old.

Before using Tygacil, tell your doctor if you are allergic to a tetracycline antibiotic such as demeclocycline (Declomycin), doxycycline (Adoxa, Doryx, Oracea, Vibramycin), minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin, Solodyn, Vectrin), or tetracycline (Brodspec, Panmycin, Sumycin, Tetracap). Also tell your doctor if you have liver disease or if you are using a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven).

You may be shown how to use an IV at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection, and how to properly mix and store the medication.

Use Tygacil for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics.

Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Tygacil can make you sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.

Before using Tygacil

You should not use Tygacil if you are allergic to tigecycline.

To make sure you can safely take Tygacil, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• liver disease;

• if you are using a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven); or

• if you are allergic to a tetracycline antibiotic such as demeclocycline (Declomycin), doxycycline (Doryx, Oracea, Periostat, Vibramycin), minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin, Solodyn), or tetracycline (Ala-Tet, Brodspec, Panmycin, Sumycin, Tetracap).

Do not use Tygacil if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby or cause permanent tooth discoloration later in life. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.

Tygacil can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non hormone method of birth control (such as a condom, diaphragm, spermicide) to prevent pregnancy while using Tygacil.

It is not known whether tigecycline passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use Tygacil without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Children should not use this medicine. Tigecycline can cause permanent yellowing or graying of the teeth in children younger than 8 years old.

How should I use Tygacil?

Tygacil is injected into a vein through an IV. You may be shown how to use an IV at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles, IV tubing, and other items used to inject the medicine.

Tygacil must be given slowly, and the IV infusion can take up to 60 minutes to complete.

Tygacil is a powder medicine that must be mixed with a liquid (diluent) in an IV bag before using it. If you are using the injections at home, be sure you understand how to properly mix and store the medication.

Prepare your dose only when you are ready to give yourself an injection. After mixing, the liquid should appear as a yellow or orange color. Do not use the medication if it has changed to green or black, or if it has any particles in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription.

Use a disposable needle only once. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.

Use Tygacil for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Tygacil will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Store unmixed Tygacil powder at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Mixed medicine must be used within 24 hours if you keep it at room temperature.

Tygacil mixed in an IV bag with sodium chloride or dextrose solution may be stored in a refrigerator and used within 48 hours.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while using Tygacil?

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, stop using Tygacil and call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Tygacil can make you sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.

Tygacil side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Tygacil: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using Tygacil and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• diarrhea that is watery or bloody;

• severe headache, ringing in your ears, dizziness, nausea, vision problems, pain behind your eyes;

• nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or

• severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate.

Less serious Tygacil side effects may include:

• headache; or

• dizziness, sleep problems (insomnia);

• vaginal itching or discharge.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Tygacil side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Tygacil?

Do not give any of the following drugs through the same IV line used to give your Tygacil injection:

• amphotericin (Amphocin, Fungizone);

• diazepam (Valium); or

• amphotericin B lipid complex (Abelcet);

• esomeprazole (Nexium I.V.).

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with Tygacil. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about Tygacil.