Type of medicine: glycylcycline antibiotic
Generic and brand names: tigecycline, injection; Tygacil
This medicine is an antibiotic given by IV infusion to treat bacterial infections. It is most often used to treat serious skin or abdominal infections. It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
This medicine will not cure viral infections such as colds and the flu.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Females of childbearing age: Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant because it may harm the baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant while taking this medicine. If you become pregnant, contact your healthcare provider right away. Also, this medicine may reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills. If you need birth control, talk to your healthcare provider about what forms to use while you are taking this medicine. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
The injections are given by IV infusion (slow drip through a needle into a large vein) by your healthcare provider, usually when you are in a hospital.
This medicine is usually not given to infants or children younger than 8 years old because it can cause problems with tooth development.
This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to the sun and may cause you to sunburn more easily. While you are taking this medicine, avoid long exposure to the sun. While you are in the sun, wear protective clothing and sunscreen lotion until you know how you will react to the sun. Do not use a sunlamp. If you get a severe sunburn, contact your healthcare provider right away. You may continue to sunburn easily after you stop taking the medicine.
You may be more likely to get fungal infections while taking this medicine. Contact your healthcare provider if you notice new symptoms such as white patches in your mouth or a vaginal discharge.
This medicine may cause or worsen diarrhea. Severe bloody diarrhea may be a sign of a life-threatening condition called pseudomembranous colitis. If you develop diarrhea while taking this medicine, contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not take medicine to treat diarrhea without your provider's approval. Some diarrhea medicine will make your diarrhea worse.
You may need to have lab tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for tests.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you have received this medicine.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Severe diarrhea or diarrhea that lasts more than 2 days, severe nausea or vomiting, weakness, dizziness, trouble urinating, fever, severe stomach pain, vision changes, severe headache, ringing in the ears.
Other: Headache; nausea; vomiting; mild diarrhea; sensitivity to sun; trouble sleeping; swelling, pain, or redness at the injection site.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
