About linezolid
Oxazolidinone antibiotic
Used for
- Serious infections caused by susceptible Gram-positive bacteria, including pneumonia and skin infections
- Infections caused by vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium
Usual adult dose
600 mg intravenously every 12 hours; duration depends on infection.
Usual dose in children
Children under 12 years: 10 mg/kg intravenously every 8 hours. Adolescents: 600 mg every 12 hours.
Common side effects
- Diarrhea, nausea, headache
- Anemia, low platelets, or other blood-cell changes
- Peripheral or optic nerve damage, especially with prolonged use
- Lactic acidosis or serotonin syndrome, rarely
Important warnings
- Use only for susceptible bacterial infections; it does not treat viral infections.
- Blood counts require monitoring, especially during prolonged treatment.
- Prolonged use can damage nerves or affect vision.
- Seek urgent assessment for severe diarrhea, unusual bleeding, vision changes, or symptoms of serotonin syndrome.
Pregnancy
Human pregnancy data are limited; use when clearly needed after weighing potential benefits and risks.
Breastfeeding
It is not known whether linezolid enters breast milk; discuss potential infant exposure with a clinician.
Interactions
- Serotonergic medicines, including some antidepressants, can cause serotonin syndrome.
- MAO inhibitors are contraindicated during treatment and for two weeks beforehand.
- Some decongestants and blood-pressure medicines may cause increased blood pressure.
- Large amounts of tyramine-rich foods may raise blood pressure.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.