Because we are confronted with the increasing use of tigecycline
for the treatment of infections due to multidrug-resistant
bacteria, it is important to note that two recent meta-analyses
raise concerns about the efficacy and safety of therapy
with this antibiotic. A higher overall mortality and a higher
incidence of adverse effects, especially nausea and vomiting,
have been observed with tigecycline compared with other
regimens.1,2
Tigecycline-induced acute pancreatitis is considered an
uncommon event, with an estimated incidence between 1%
and 1‰. The mechanism remains unknown.3 Five cases of
interstitial or oedematous pancreatitis have been reported, all
of which occurred during the second week of therapy in
patients without other risk factors for pancreatitis. None of
the patients required intensive care.3,4 To our knowledge, we
report on the first case of acute necrotizing pancreatitis
related to tigecycline.
