Tigecycline, the first of a new class of broad-spectrum
antibiotics, the glycylcyclines, was recently licensed in South
Africa for the parenteral treatment of adult patients with
complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAIs) and complicated
skin and soft-tissue infections (cSSTIs). This statement
addresses important aspects of the new agent, including
pharmacokinetics, mode of action and antibacterial spectrum,
summarises key clinical trial data, and highlights appropriate
use of the drug. Several other important considerations are also
briefly addressed.
