Linezolid

Description

Linezolid is an antibiotic which is used to treat infections in the lungs, skin, and blood. It is used in vancomycin-resistance conditions. This medicine may decrease the blood cell count. Close monitoring of blood pressure is necessary.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Linezolid

  • Diarrhea
  • Dizziness
  • Pale skin
  • Skin rash
  • Headache
  • Nausea or Vomiting
  • Convulsions
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Change in taste
  • Swelling and redness at the injection site
  • Trouble sleeping

Uses of Linezolid

What is it prescribed for?

  • Bacterial Septicemia
  • Pneumonia
  • Skin and Structure Infection
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Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action
    The effect of this medicine can be observed in 1 to 2 hours.
  • Duration of effect
    The effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 12 to 15 hours.
  • Safe with alcohol?
    Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
  • Is it habit forming?
    No habit forming tendency have been reported.
  • Usage in pregnancy?
    This medicine is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary. Consult your doctor about the potential benefits and risks before deciding to take this medicine.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?
    This medicine is known to excreted in breastmilk. It is not recommended for use during breastfeeding unless absolutely necessary. Consult your doctor about the potential benefits and risks before deciding to take this medicine.

Allergy

Not recommended in patients with known allergy to Linezolid
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

This medicine is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary. Consult your doctor about the potential benefits and risks before deciding to take this medicine.

Breast-feeding

This medicine is known to excreted in breastmilk. It is not recommended for use during breastfeeding unless absolutely necessary. Consult your doctor about the potential benefits and risks before deciding to take this medicine.
General warnings

Decrease blood cell count

This medicine is known to lower the WBC and platelets count. Close monitoring of complete blood count is necessary. The treatment should be discontinued if any signs of the low blood cell count are identified.

Optic Neuropathy

This medicine may cause vision problems in patients receiving for more than 28 days. Any symptoms of changes in vision should be informed to the doctor.

Drug-resistance

Usage of Linezolid without sufficient proof or suspicion of a bacterial infection should be avoided. Irrational dosing might fail in providing the benefits and even cause toxicity. It may also increase the risk of development of bacteria that is drug resistant.

Lactic Acidosis

This medicine may cause a serious reaction called Lactic Acidosis. Inform the doctor if you experience unexplained nausea and vomiting. Immediate medical treatment should be initiated to prevent further complications.

Missed Dose

The missed dose should be taken as soon possible. It is advisable to skip the missed dose if it's already time for your next scheduled dose.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Instructions

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine

Glimepiride

Ondansetron

Ethinyl Estradiol

Cholera Vaccine

Disease interactions

Colitis

Avoid if you experience severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, and blood in stools after taking Linezolid. Inform the doctor if you are suffering from any gastrointestinal diseases. Drink adequate amount of water to prevent dehydration.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Linezolid as instructed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts than advised. Drink adequate amount of water to prevent the irritation in the intestine. Do not stop taking this medicine without consulting the doctor.
Miscelleneous

Can be taken with or without food, as advised by your doctor

To be taken as instructed by doctor

Causes sleepiness

How it works
It works by interfering the protein synthesis which is essential for the bacteria to grow.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Oxazolidinone antibiotics

Schedule

Schedule H

[Internet]. 2017 [cited 5 May 2017]. Available from:

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/32732

Linezolid: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 5 May 2017]. Available from:

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a602004.html

DailyMed - Linezolid injection, solution [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 5 May 2017]. Available from:

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=b721756c-3b5e-456d-a2f6-0d8a56cc7f35

[Internet]. Toxnet.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 5 May 2017]. Available from:

https://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search2/f?./temp/~KYrORW:1

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Information on this page was last updated on 16 Nov 2017

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.