AimsTo analyse the clinical characteristics and risk factors for tigecycline-induced pancreatitis (TIP) and evaluate the safety and efficiency of tigecycline use in non-TIP. MethodsA retrospective case-control study was conducted on adult and juvenile patients administered tigecycline for >3 days. The adults were classified as TIP, non-TIP (pancreatitis with other causes) and non-pancreatitis. Univariate analyses were performed to compare TIP and non-pancreatitis, and multivariate analysis was used to identify risk factors for TIP. The clinical characteristics of TIP, and the safety and efficiency of tigecycline use in non-TIP were evaluated. ResultsA total of 3910 patients (3823 adults and 87 juveniles) were enrolled. The adult patients comprised 21 TIP, 82 non-TIP and 3720 non-pancreatitis. The TIP prevalence was 0.56% in adults and 1.15% in juveniles. The mean time from tigecycline use to symptom onset was 7.2 days, and all cases were mild pancreatitis. The mean time from tigecycline withdrawal to symptom relief was 3.6 days. The multivariate analysis identified comorbid renal insufficiency as an independent risk factor for TIP (odds ratio = 3.032). Among the 82 non-TIP patients, 81.7% had severe pancreatitis and 47.6% had necrotizing pancreatitis. The modified computed tomography severity score after tigecycline use was similar to that before tigecycline use, but the pancreatic enzymes and infection indices were significantly decreased. ConclusionsThe prevalence of TIP was low. Comorbid renal insufficiency was as an independent risk factor for TIP. Tigecycline is safe and efficient for treatment of pancreatitis, especially necrotizing pancreatitis, with intra-abdominal infection.