Linezolid: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What Drug Linezolid?

What is linezolid for?

Linezolid is an antibiotic that is used to treat certain serious bacterial infections and has not responded to other antibiotics (drug-resistant infections). This drug works by stopping the growth of bacteria.

This antibiotic only treats bacterial infections, it will not affect viral infections such as fever and influenza. Taking unnecessary antibiotics results in a lack of effectiveness for this drug.

How do I use linezolid?

Use this medication orally, at mealtime or afterward, usually every 12 hours or as directed by your doctor.

Dosage depends on your health condition and response to therapy. In children the dose is also based on body weight, and they may be advised to use this drug every 8 hours.

Linezolid still belongs to a group of drugs called MAO inhibitors. Certain foods can interact with MAO blockers, causing severe headaches and elevated blood pressure. This can lead to an emergency situation. Therefore, it is important to avoid or limit the consumption of these foods to reduce the risk of these serious problems. (See drug interactions section)

Antibiotics work best when the drug levels in the body remain at a constant level. Therefore use this drug at evenly distributed intervals. To help you remember, use it at the same time each day.

Continue to use these medications until the prescribed amount is finished, even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping treatment too soon can allow bacteria to grow which then causes the infection to reappear.

Tell your doctor if the condition does not change or gets worse.

How do I store linezolid?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Linezolid dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of linezolid for adults?

Dosage for Bacteremia in Adults

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium infection, including concomitant bacteremia: 600 mg IV or orally every 12 hours
Duration: 14 - 28 days

Dosage for Pneumonia in Adults

600 mg IV or orally every 12 hours
Duration: 10 - 14 days

Dosage for Nosocomial Pneumonia in Adults

600 mg IV or orally every 12 hours
Duration: 10 - 14 days

Dosage for skin and structure infections in adults

Complicated infections: 600 mg IV or orally every 12 hours
Duration: 10 - 14 days
uncomplicated infections: 400 mg orally every 12 hours
Duration: 10 - 14 days

Dosage for bacterial infections in adults

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium infection: 600 mg IV or orally every 12 hours
Duration: 14 - 28 days

What is the dose of linezolid for children?

Dosage for Bacteremia in Children

Infection with Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium, including concomitant bacteremia:
Less than 7 days, gestational age less than 34 weeks: 10 mg / kg IV or orally every 12 hours; can be increased up to every 8 hours based on clinical response
Less than 7 days, gestation age 34 weeks or more: 10 mg / kg IV or orally every 8 hours
7 days to 11 years of age: 10 mg / kg IV or orally every 8 hours
12 years and over: 600 mg IV or orally every 12 hours

Dosage for Pneumonia in Children

Less than 7 days, gestational age less than 34 weeks: 10 mg / kg IV or orally every 12 hours; can be increased up to every 8 hours based on clinical response
Less than 7 days, gestation age 34 weeks or more: 10 mg / kg IV or orally every 8 hours
7 days to 11 years of age: 10 mg / kg IV or orally every 8 hours
12 years and over: 600 mg IV or orally every 12 hours

Duration: 10 - 14 days

Dosage for Nosocomial Pneumonia in Children

Less than 7 days, gestational age less than 34 weeks: 10 mg / kg IV or orally every 12 hours; can be increased up to every 8 hours based on clinical response
Less than 7 days, gestation age 34 weeks or more: 10 mg / kg IV or orally every 8 hours
7 days to 11 years of age: 10 mg / kg IV or orally every 8 hours
12 years and over: 600 mg IV or orally every 12 hours

Duration: 10 - 14 days

Dosage for Skin and Structural Infections in Children

Infection with complications:
Less than 7 days, gestational age less than 34 weeks: 10 mg / kg IV or orally every 12 hours; can be increased up to every 8 hours based on clinical response
Less than 7 days, gestation age 34 weeks or more: 10 mg / kg IV or orally every 8 hours
7 days to 11 years of age: 10 mg / kg IV or orally every 8 hours
12 years and over: 600 mg IV or orally every 12 hours

Duration: 10 - 14 days

Infection without complications:
Less than 7 days, gestational age less than 34 weeks: 10 mg / kg orally every 12 hours; can be increased up to every 8 hours based on clinical response
Less than 7 days, gestational age 34 weeks or more: 10 mg / kg orally every 8 hours
7 days through 4 years: 10 mg / kg orally every 8 hours
5 to 11 years of age: 10 mg / kg orally every 12 hours
12 years and over: 600 mg orally every 12 hours

Duration: 10 - 14 days

Dosage for Bacterial Infections in Children

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium infection:
Less than 7 days, gestational age less than 34 weeks: 10 mg / kg IV or orally every 12 hours; can be increased up to every 8 hours based on clinical response
Less than 7 days, gestation age 34 weeks or more: 10 mg / kg IV or orally every 8 hours
7 days to 11 years of age: 10 mg / kg IV or orally every 8 hours
12 years and over: 600 mg IV or orally every 12 hours

Duration: 14 - 28 days

In what dosages is linezolid available?

• 400 mg tablet (sodium content 1.95 mg per 400 mg tablet)
• 600 mg tablet (sodium content 2.92 mg per 600 mg tablet)
• Powder for oral suspension 100 mg per 5 mL (sodium content 8.52 mg per 5 mL)
• Injection 2 mg / mL (sodium content 0.38 mg / mL [5 mEq per 300 mL pack, 3.3 mEq per 200 mL pack, 1.7 mEq per 100 mL pack)

Linezolid side effects

What side effects can I experience due to linezolid?

Seek immediate medical attention if you develop any of the following signs of an allergic reaction: rash; difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

If you are taking antidepressants or drugs for mental disorders, call your doctor right away if you experience signs of a serious drug interaction, including: confusion, memory problems, hyperactivity (mental or physical), loss of coordination, muscle spasms, chills, sweating, diarrhea, and / or fever.

Some people also develop lacti acidosis when using linezolid. Early symptoms can get worse over time and the condition can be fatal. Seek medical help immediately even if you have only mild symptoms such as muscle aches or weakness, numbness or cold feeling in the arms and legs, difficulty breathing, stomach pain, nausea with vomiting, slow or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, feeling very weak or tired.

Call your doctor immediately if you experience serious side effects, such as:

• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, mouth sores, or sore throat
• bruising or bleeding easily, pale skin, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, fast heart rate, difficulty concentrating
• diarrhea that is watery or bloody
• blurred vision, difficulty seeing colors
• numbness, burning, or tingling feeling in the hands and feet;
• seizures
• low blood sugar (headache, hunger, weakness, sweating, confusion, irritability, dizziness, fast heart rate, or restlessness)

Less serious side effects include:

• headache, dizziness, sleep problems (insomnia);
• nausea, vomiting, constipation
• change in tongue color, unusual or bad feeling in the mouth
• vaginal itching or discharge
• yeast infection of the mouth

Not everyone experiences the above side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Linezolid Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using linezolid?

Before using Linezolid,

• tell your doctor if you have an allergy to linezolid, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in a prescribed linezolid product. Ask your pharmacist for a list of ingredients
• tell your doctor if you are taking buspirone (buspar); epinephrine (EpiPen); drugs for migraine such as almotriptan (Axert), eletriptan (Relpax), frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), sumatriptan (Imitrex), and zolmitriptan (Zomig); meperidine (Demerol); pseudoephedrine (Sudafed; in many cold or decongestant medications) selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, Symbyax), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil) Zoloft), and vilazodone (Vilbyrd); serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as desvenlafaxine (Pristiq), duloxetine (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine (Effexor); and tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Adapin, Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), and (Surmontil). Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have used or stopped any of the following medicines in the past two weeks: isocarboxazid (Marplan) phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl), and tranylcypromine (Parnate). Your doctor may advise you not to use linezolid if you are taking any of these medicines, or have used them in the last two weeks.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products you are taking or planning to take. Make sure you mention the following medicines: amphetamine (in Adderall); carbamazepine; phenylpropanolamine (not available in the US); dextroamphetamine (Adderall, Dexedrine, DextroStat); dexmethylphenidate (Focalin); lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanase); methamphetamine (Desoxyn); methylphenidate (Concerta, Metadate, Methylin, Ritalin); other antibiotics; phenobarbital; phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek); and rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactance, in Rifamate or Rifater). Your doctor may need to change the dose of your medication or watch you for side effects. Many other medicines can also interact with linezolid, so make sure you tell your doctor what medicines you are taking even if they are not on this list.
• tell your doctor if you have carcinoid syndrome (a condition in which the tumor secretes serotonin). Your doctor may advise you not to use linezolid
• tell your doctor if you have or have had chronic (long-term) infections, high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), immune suppression (a problem with your immune system), pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal glands), seizures, or disease kidney
• tell doctor if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while using linezolid, contact your doctor
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using linezolid
• if you have phenylketonuria (PKU, an inherited condition in which the patient has to follow a special diet to prevent mental retardation), you need to know that the oral suspension contains aspartame which forms phenylalanine

Is linezolid safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

A = Not at risk

B = No risk in several studies

C = May be risky

D = There is positive evidence of risk

X = Contraindicated

N = Unknown

It is not known whether linezolid can absorb into breast milk and harm the baby. Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.

Linezolid Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with linezolid?

Drug interactions can change how the drugs work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not include all drug interactions that can occur. Keep a list of the products you use (including prescription / nonprescription medicines and herbal products) and tell your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's knowledge.

When using linezolid, do not start or stop the use of any other drugs unless your doctor instructs you to.

If you are taking antidepressants or psychic drugs, call your doctor immediately if you experience signs of a serious drug interaction, including: confusion, memory problems, feeling hyper (mental or physical), loss of coordination, muscle spasms, chills, sweating, diarrhea, and / or fever.

Can food or alcohol interact with linezolid?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

• foods containing tyramine

What health conditions can interact with linezolid?

The presence of other health problems can affect the use of this drug. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems, specifically:

• carcinoid syndrome
• uncontrolled hypertension
• pheochromocytoma
• thyroid problems — should not be used in patients with this condition unless they have been supervised by a doctor for hypertension and serotonin syndrome
• bone marrow depression
• diabetes
• history of hypertension
• hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
• history of seizures - use with caution, can aggravate this condition
• infection at catheter site — should not be used in patients in this condition
• phenylketonuria (PKU) - Oral suspension contains phenylalanine which can aggravate this condition.

Linezolid overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.