About linezolid
Oxazolidinone antibiotic
Used for
- Treats certain serious infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria, including pneumonia and skin infections.
- May treat infections caused by vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium.
Usual adult dose
600 mg by mouth or IV every 12 hours; duration depends on infection, usually 10–28 days.
Usual dose in children
Children: 10 mg/kg by mouth or IV every 8 hours; maximum 600 mg per dose. Adolescents weighing at least 40 kg: 600 mg every 12 hours.
Common side effects
- Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or headache
- Low blood counts, especially with longer treatment
- Changes in taste or oral thrush
- Rarely, nerve or vision problems with prolonged use
Important warnings
- Blood counts may need monitoring, particularly during prolonged treatment.
- Seek urgent care for unusual bruising, severe diarrhea, vision changes, or numbness.
- Can cause serotonin syndrome with some antidepressants and other serotonergic medicines.
- Not suitable for infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria.
Pregnancy
Human pregnancy information is limited; use only when clearly needed and prescribed.
Breastfeeding
It is not known whether linezolid enters human milk; discuss feeding plans with a clinician.
Interactions
- Antidepressants and other serotonergic medicines may raise serotonin syndrome risk.
- Some opioids may increase serotonin syndrome risk.
- Decongestants and stimulant medicines may raise blood pressure.
- Large amounts of tyramine-rich foods may cause a blood-pressure rise.
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 It may be incomplete or out of date.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.