Linezolid

Other Anti-infective Preps · Oxazolidinone

Indications

Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus faecium (VRE) infections. Nosocomial pneumonia caused by staphylococcus aureus including MRSA or streptococcus pneumoniae (penicillin-susceptible strains only). Complicated skin & skin structure infections (including diabetic foot infections without concomitant osteomyelitis) caused by susceptible gram-positive bacteria. Community-acquired pneumoniae caused by susceptible gram-positive bacteria.

Dosage

ORAL: Adults: >18 yr: 600 mg every 12 hr for 10 to 14 days. Lower Respiratory Infection: Usual: Treat for 10-14 days. Adults & Children: >12 yr: 600 mg orally every 12 hr. Birth-11 yr: 10 mg/kg orally every 8 hr. Skin Infection: Complicated: Treat for 10-14 days. Adults & Children: >12 yr: 600 mg orally every 12 hr. Birth-11 yr: 10 mg/kg orally every 8 hr. Uncomplicated: Treat for 10-14 days. Adults: 400 mg orally every 12 hr. Children: >12 yr: 600 mg orally every 12 hr. 5-11 yr: 10 mg/kg orally every 12 hr. <5 yr: 10 mg/kg orally every 8 hr. INJECTION: Adults: By IV infusion over 30-120 min, 600 mg every 12 hr.

Administration

Administer IV infusion over 30-120 min. Do not mix or infuse with other medications. Compatibility: Stable in D5W, NS, LR. Y-site administration: Drug to Drug IV Compatibility: Acyclovir, amikacin, amiodarone, aztreonam, bumetanide, calcium gluconate, cephazolin, cefepime, cimetidine, ciprofloxacin, cisatracurium, dexamethasone, digoxin, diltiazem, diphenhydramine, dobutamine, dopamine, enalapril, epinephrine, esmolol, famotidine, fentanyl, fluconazole, furosemide, gentamicin, heparin, hydrocortisone, hydromorphone, imipenem, insulin regular, labetalol, levofloxacin, lorazepam, magnesium sulphate, meropenem, methylprednisolone, metoclopramide, metronidazole, midazolam, morphine, nitroglycerin, nitroprusside, norepinephrine, ondansetron, phenylephrine, piperacillin/tazobactam, ranitidine, tobramycin, vancomycin, vasopressin, vecuronium. Drug to Drug IV Incompatibility: Amphotericin B,…

Adverse Effects

Hypertension, headache, insomnia, dizziness, fever, rash, nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, constipation, vaginal moniliasis, thrombocytopenia.

Risk Factor (Pregnancy/Lactation)

Pregnancy: Risk cannot be ruled out. Lactation: Caution advised or effect undetermined. Precautions: Myelosuppression have been reported. MAO inhibitor properties. Patients with uncontrolled hypertension, pheochromocytoma, carcinoid syndrome or untreated hyperthyroidism, avoid use with serotonergic agents.

Interactions

See above under precautions. Adrenergic agents. Tramadol.

Advice to Patient

Take with or without meals. Contact prescriber if there is severe unrelieved diarrhoea that lasts upto 2 or more months, white patches in mouth, acute headache, dizziness, skin rash or irritation, blurred vision, numbness, tingling or burning sensation in limbs. Do not take OTC cold remedies without consulting prescriber because medications that contain pseudoephedrine or propanolamine may cause or worsen hypertension. Complete full course of therapy even if you feel better. Avoid alcohol during therapy. Avoid tyramine containing foods (such as pickles, aged cheese, wine, fermented or air-dried meats, soy-sauce, protein-rich foods that have been stored for long periods or poorly refrigerated etc.) during therapy. Take sufficient amount of fluids (2-3 litres per day) to maintain hydration, unless restricted by the prescriber. Take mild analgesic for headache. If you get tooth…

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Rapid and extensive. Metabolism: Hepatic. Bioavailability: Oral: Approx. 100%. Half-life elimination: Preterm neonates <1 wk: 5.6 hrs. Full-term neonates <1 wk: 3 hrs. Full-term neonates =1 wk to =28 days: 1.5 hrs. Infants >28 days to <3 mths: 1.8 hrs. Infants and Children 3 mths to 11 yrs: 2.9 hrs. Adolescents: 4.1 hrs. Adults: 4.9 hrs. Time to peak: Adults: Oral: 1-2 hrs. Excretion: Urine (approx. 30% of total dose as parent drug, approx. 50% of total dose as metabolites); two metabolites of linezolid may accumulate in patients with severe renal impairment; faeces (approx. 9% of total dose as metabolites). Nonrenal clearance: Adults: Approx. 65%.

Brands with this active ingredient

Compiled by Healify Pharmacy from published drug references. How we compile it →

Always consult a pharmacist or doctor.