What is the most important information I should know about linezolid?
Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with linezolid. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.
Do not use this medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.
What is linezolid?
Linezolid is an antibiotic that fights bacteria in the body. Linezolid is also an MAO (monoamine oxidase) inhibitor.
Linezolid is used to treat different types of bacterial infections, such as pneumonia, skin infections, and infections that are resistant to other antibiotics.
Linezolid may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using linezolid?
You should not use linezolid if you are allergic to it.
Do not use linezolid if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- high blood pressure;
- a thyroid disorder;
- a carcinoid tumor;
- bone marrow suppression or a weak immune system;
- kidney or liver disease;
- pheochromocytoma (adrenal gland tumor);
- diabetes;
- seizures; or
- if you use a catheter.
It is not known whether linezolid will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.
It may not be safe to breast-feed a baby while you are using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risks.
Linezolid liquid may contain phenylalanine. Tell your doctor if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).
How is linezolid used?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Linezolid tablets or liquid can be taken with or without food.
Linezolid injection is given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give your first dose and may teach you how to properly use the medication by yourself.
Prepare your injection only when you are ready to give it. Do not use if the medicine has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.
Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Do not use linezolid if you don't understand all instructions for proper use. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions.
Gently mix the oral suspension (liquid) by turning the bottle upside down 3 to 5 times. Do not shake. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).
You will need frequent medical tests. Your vision and blood pressure may also need to be checked often.
Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses can increase your risk of infection that is resistant to medication. Linezolid will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.
Store all forms of linezolid at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Do not freeze. Throw away any liquid not used within 21 days.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while using linezolid?
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your doctor before using anti-diarrhea medicine.
Eating tyramine while you are using linezolid can raise your blood pressure to dangerous levels. Avoid foods that have a high level of tyramine, such as:
- aged cheeses or meats;
- pickled or fermented meats, smoked or air-dried meats;
- sauerkraut;
- soy sauce;
- tap beer (alcoholic and nonalcoholic);
- red wine; or
- any meat, cheese, or other protein-based food that has been improperly stored.
You should be very familiar with the list of foods you must avoid while you are using linezolid.
What are the possible side effects of linezolid?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- vision problems, changes in color vision;
- severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
- a seizure;
- sweating, feeling anxious or shaky (may be signs of low blood sugar);
-
high levels of serotonin in the body --agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
-
lactic acidosis --unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, stomach pain, vomiting, irregular heart rate, dizziness, feeling cold, or feeling very weak or tired; or
-
low blood cell counts --fever, chills, tiredness, weakness, confusion, mouth sores, skin sores, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath.
Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Common side effects may include:
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
- mild skin rash;
- anemia (low red blood cells); or
- headache, dizziness.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect linezolid?
Some medicines can interact with linezolid and cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome. Be sure your doctor knows if you also take stimulant medicine, opioid medicine, herbal products, or medicine for depression, mental illness, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting. Ask your doctor before making any changes in how or when you take your medications.
Many drugs can interact with linezolid, and some drugs should not be used together. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about linezolid.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
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