Linezolid
About Linezolid
Linezolid is used to treat bacterial infections of the skin and lungs (pneumonia). It is also used to treat infections that are resistant to other antibiotics, such as vancomycin-resistant enterococcal infections. Bacterial infections are caused by the multiplication of harmful bacteria inside or on the body. Linezolid does not work against infections caused by the virus, including cold and flu.
Linezolid contains Linezolid, which works by inhibiting the bacteria's ability to produce proteins necessary for their growth and multiplication, ultimately killing the bacteria. Thus, it helps treat the bacterial infection.
In some cases, you may experience common side effects, such as thrush (a fungal infection), headache, a metallic taste, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, constipation, and indigestion. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
Do not take Linezolid on your own, as self-medication may lead to antibiotic resistance, in which antibiotics fail to act against specific bacterial infections. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant before taking Linezolid. Linezolid passes into breastmilk, so do not take Linezolid if you are breastfeeding. Linezolid may cause dizziness and vision problems; therefore, exercise caution when driving and operating machinery. Avoid alcohol consumption while taking Linezolid, as it may cause increased dizziness.
Uses of Linezolid
• Pneumonia (Lung Infection): Linezolid is effective in treating both community-acquired and hospital-acquired pneumonia caused by susceptible bacteria.
• Skin and Skin Structure Infections: Linezolid is used to treat mild to severe bacterial infections of the skin and its underlying tissues. It is also indicated for the treatment of diabetic foot infections, without associated bone infections (osteomyelitis).
• Antibiotic-Resistant Infections: Linezolid is indicated for infections caused by the bacteria Enterococcus faecium that are resistant to vancomycin, including intra-abdominal infections, skin and soft tissue infections, urinary tract infections, and concurrent bacteremia (presence of bacteria in the bloodstream).
Medicinal Benefits
Linezolid belongs to the class of antibiotics called oxazolidinones, used to treat bacterial infections of the skin and lungs (pneumonia). It is also effective in treating vancomycin-resistant enterococcal infections, diabetic foot infections, intra-abdominal infections, urinary tract infections, and concurrent bacteremia (presence of bacteria in the bloodstream). Linezolid contains Linezolid, which works by stopping the growth of infection-causing bacteria. Thus, it helps treat the bacterial infection.
Directions for Use
- Linezolid can be taken with or without food, as advised by your doctor.
- Your doctor will decide the appropriate dosage and timing based on your medical condition.
- Swallow Linezolid as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush or chew this medication.
Storage
Side Effects of Linezolid
- Thrush (fungal infection)
- Headache
- Metallic taste
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Constipation
- Indigestion
Drug Warnings
Do not take Linezolid if you are allergic to any of its contents; if you are taking or have taken monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors in the last 14 days. Talk to your doctor if you have high blood pressure, an overactive thyroid, phaeochromocytoma (tumour of adrenal glands), carcinoid syndrome (tumours of the hormone system), manic depression, schizophrenia, confusion, or other mental problems. Inform your doctor if you bruise or bleed easily, have anaemia (low red blood cells), are prone to infections, have a history of seizures, are on dialysis, have diarrhoea, or kidney or liver problems. Consult your doctor immediately if you experience a throbbing headache after eating or drinking, vision problems, loss of sensation or tingling and prickling sensations in your arms and legs, persistent diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or rapid breathing. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant before taking Linezolid. Linezolid passes into breastmilk, so do not take Linezolid if you are breastfeeding. Linezolid may cause dizziness and vision problems; therefore, exercise caution when driving and operating machinery. Avoid alcohol consumption while taking Linezolid, as it may cause increased dizziness.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Linezolid may interact with certain medications, such as antiasthma drugs (salbutamol, terbutaline), antidepressants (citalopram, amitriptyline, fluoxetine, imipramine), antimigraine medications (sumatriptan), decongestants (pseudoephedrine), antiallergics (epinephrine), drugs used to increase blood pressure (dopamine), opioid pain relievers (pethidine), antianxiety drugs (buspirone), antibiotics (rifampicin), and blood thinners (warfarin).
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid foods and drinks containing tyramine, such as cheese, yeast extracts, soybean extracts, alcohol, beer, or wine while taking Linezolid, as it may interact with tyramine and lead to an increase in blood pressure.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor before taking Linezolid if you have colitis (inflammation in the lining of the colon), seizures, high blood pressure, acidosis (increased acidity in the blood), carcinoid syndrome (cancerous tumour which secretes chemicals into the bloodstream), hemodialysis, hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar levels), neuropathy, or kidney or liver disease.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consuming alcohol while taking Linezolid, as it may cause increased dizziness.
Pregnancy
cautionLinezolid belongs to pregnancy category C. If you are pregnant, please consult your doctor before using Linezolid. Your doctor will prescribe it only if the potential benefits justify the possible risks.
Breast Feeding
unsafeAvoid taking Linezolid if you are breastfeeding, as it may pass into breast milk and cause harmful effects in the baby.
Driving
unsafeLinezolid may cause dizziness and vision problems. So, drive only if you are alert.
Liver
cautionDose adjustment may be necessary if you have liver impairment or disease. Please consult your doctor to discuss any concerns or to ensure safe and appropriate use.
Kidney
cautionDose adjustment may be necessary if you have kidney impairment or disease. Please consult your doctor to discuss any concerns or to ensure safe and appropriate use.
Children
unsafeLinezolid is not recommended for children below 18 years of age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Antibiotics can alter the useful bacteria in the stomach, which help in digestion. Therefore, you are advised to take foods rich in probiotics, such as yogurt/curd, kefir, sauerkraut, tempeh, kimchi, miso, kombucha, buttermilk, natto, and cheese.
- Eat fibre-rich food like whole grains, lentils, berries, broccoli, peas, and bananas.
- Avoid foods rich in calcium, grapefruit, and grapefruit juice, as they might hinder the absorption of antibiotics.
- Avoid consuming tyramine-rich food or drinks, such as meat, cheese, fish, red wine, beer, certain beans, and fermented yeast products.
- Avoid consumption of alcohol and usage of tobacco.
Special Advise
- Linezolid may affect certain laboratory test results, such as blood tests, blood sugar tests, liver and kidney function tests. Inform the person doing the tests that you are taking Linezolid.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Bacterial infections: A bacterial infection is a condition in which harmful bacteria enter, multiply, and infect the body. Infectious or harmful bacteria can make you sick and reproduce quickly in the body. These harmful bacteria produce chemicals known as toxins, which can damage tissue and make you sick. Symptoms include fever, chills, and fatigue. Anyone can become infected with a bacterial infection. However, people with a weakened immune system or those taking immunosuppressive medications are more prone to bacterial infections.
FAQs
Linezolid is an antibiotic medication used to treat bacterial infections of the skin and lungs (pneumonia). It is also used to treat infections that are resistant to other antibiotics, such as vancomycin-resistant enterococcal infections.
Linezolid contains Linezolid (an antibiotic), which works by stopping the bacteria from making proteins necessary for their growth and multiplication, ultimately killing the bacteria. Thus, it helps treat the bacterial infection.
Diarrhoea might be a side effect of Linezolid. Drink lots of fluids and eat non-spicy food if you experience diarrhoea. If you find blood in stools (tarry stools) or if you have prolonged diarrhoea with abdominal pain, stop taking Linezolid and consult your doctor. Do not take anti-diarrheal medicine on your own.
It is recommended to complete the course of Linezolid even if you feel better as it is an antibiotic, and leaving it in between may lead to even severe infection. To treat your condition effectually, continue taking Linezolid for as long as your doctor has prescribed it.
Linezolid may cause thrush or candidiasis, which is a fungal infection occurring due to the overgrowth of yeast-like fungus in the mouth or throat. Regularly rinse your mouth with water to prevent the growth of fungus.
Do not take Linezolid on your own, as self-medication may lead to antibiotic-resistance, in which antibiotics fail to act against specific bacterial infections.
Linezolid may affect certain laboratory test results, such as blood tests, blood sugar tests, liver and kidney function tests. Inform the person doing the tests that you are taking Linezolid.
Linezolid may cause anaemia due to a decrease in the number of red blood cells. This could also cause unexplained bleeding or bruising. Consult your doctor if you experience unexplained bleeding or bruising.
Consult your doctor before taking Linezolid if you have hypertension (high blood pressure), as it may cause an increase in blood pressure.
You should avoid taking large quantities of food that contains high tyramine. Foods that are fermented, cured, aged or spoiled contain a high amount of tyramine, e.g. cheese, red wine, pickles, overripe fruits etc. Consuming tyramine while taking Linezolid can result in an elevation of blood pressure, which may result in an emergency.
You should take it twice a day, every 12 hours, for example, at 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. You can take it before, with, or after food. Your doctor or clinician will determine the duration of the treatment course.
Some foods containing tyramine can increase your blood pressure when taking this medicine. You should avoid the following types of foods include Mature or aged cheese, aged, smoked, pickled, or cured meats/fish/poultry such as salami, liver, pickled herring, chocolate (more than 50gm), avocados or any over-ripe fruit, broad beans, sauerkraut, sourdough bread, protein diet supplement etc.
Linezolid may cause diarrhoea, which can be severe in some cases. It may occur two months or more after you stop taking it. Do not take any medicine to treat diarrhoea without first checking with your doctor. If you have any questions, check with your doctor.
Linezolid is indicated for the treatment of gram-positive infections and is approved for treating skin and skin structure infections, bacterial pneumonia, and vancomycin-resistant enterococcal (VRE) infections, including those complicated by bacteremia.
Linezolid disrupts bacterial growth by inhibiting the initiation process of protein synthesis.
It is usually taken with or without food or as directed by the doctor.
Common side effects of Linezolid may include thrush (fungal infection), headache, metallic taste, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, constipation, and indigestion. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
Please consult your doctor. Linezolid should be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding only if needed, and the benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus.
Avoid consuming alcohol while taking Linezolid, as it may cause increased dizziness.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for your next dose. In this case, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
