Linezolide / Linezolid

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Molecule Description

Linezolid is an antibiotic medicine used to treat respiratory and skin infections caused by certain types of bacteria only. It functions by inhibiting the formation of proteins that the bacteria require for growth and multiplication. This action will halt the spread of bacteria and manage the infection. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, and share your detailed medical history before commencing this medicine.

Uses

Linezolid is used to treat infections of the lung (pneumonia), skin and soft tissues, caused by a certain bacteria.

Contraindications

When should one not use Linezolide / Linezolid

If you are allergic to Linezolid.
If you are taking or have taken medicines for brain-related diseases such as Phenelzine, Selegiline or Moclobemide in the last 2 weeks.
If you are breastfeeding.

Side effects

Common side effects of this drug are:

Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Headache
Low blood cell counts (anaemia)
Fungal infections
Sleeplessness
Dizziness
Altered taste
Pain or bloating of stomach, abnormal liver function tests
Itching, rashes, fever

Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy

Linezolid should not be used in pregnancy unless necessary, as limited information is available on the use of this medicine in pregnancy.

Breast Feeding

Linezolid passes into breast milk and may cause harm to the newborn baby. Hence, it is recommended not to breastfeed while on treatment with this medicine.

Driving

Caution is advisable as this medicine may cause side effects like dizziness and impaired vision. Driving should be avoided if any such symptoms occur.

Alcohol

Linezolid reacts with a substance called tyramine in alcohol and causes a rise in blood pressure. Hence, it is advisable to avoid alcohol or take it as less as possible while on treatment with this medicine.

Other General Warnings

Talk to your doctor if

You have high blood pressure.
You have any thyroid problems.
You have cancer of the adrenal glands (small glands/ tissue present on the top of kidneys) or carcinoid syndrome (cancers of the hormonal system that may cause sweating, redness of skin or diarrhoea).
You are suffering from any psychiatric disorders such as confusion, schizophrenia or any other brain problems.
You have low red blood cell counts (anaemia) or any bleeding problems (bleed or bruise easily).
You are at risk of or get infections, or you have diarrhoea.
You have a history of convulsions (fits).
You have liver or kidney problems (and if you are on dialysis for kidney failure).

Mode of Action

How Does It Work?

Linezolid works by blocking the formation of proteins required by the bacteria for their growth and multiplication. This will arrest the spread of bacteria and control the infection.

Interactions

Interactions with other medicines

Linezolid interferes with the action of medicines used in psychiatric disorders such as Phenelzine, Selegiline, Trazodone, Mirtazapine, Imipramine, Amitriptyline (monoamine oxidase inhibitors and other medicines that alter serotonin levels in the brain) therefore should not be co-administered with this medicine.
Medicines used for migraines such as Sumatriptan and Zolmitriptan.
Medicines that increase blood pressure like dopamine, norepinephrine (noradrenaline), dobutamine, etc.
Anti-anxiety medications such as Buspirone, opioid painkillers like Pethidine should be used cautiously.
Medicines used to treat sudden, life-threatening allergic reactions like epinephrine (adrenaline).
Medicines that prevent blood clotting like warfarin.
Medicines used to treat nose blockage in cold and cough (decongestants like pseudoephedrine and phenylpropanolamine).
Rifampicin, an antibiotic used to treat tuberculosis, can interfere with the activity of Linezolid.

Interactions with food items

Cheese, yeast extracts, fermented soya products such as soya sauce and undistilled alcoholic drinks (like beer and wine) should be taken in limited quantities (as low as possible) while on medication with Linezolid.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Inform your doctor immediately if you experience any problems with your vision (blurring or impaired vision), if there is reduced or loss of sensation in your arms or legs, you develop diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain or if your breathing becomes rapid.

The diarrhoea is classified as associated with antibiotics if there are more than 3 watery stools in a day. The episodes of loose motions can start as early as 2 hours after taking the antibiotic and can occur for some time even after stopping the medication.

Avoid foods containing poorly absorbable sugars like wheat, onion, cabbage, legumes, mushrooms, and seeded fruits like peaches, almonds, mangoes, apricots and dates. Inform your doctor if the stools are of any other color other than yellow and you feel dehydration, stomach cramps and fever. Do not self-treat or stop the antibiotics without consulting your doctor.

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