Composition
Tab 400 mg/600 mg: Linezolid 400 mg/600 mg. Inf Per ml: Linezolid 2 mg, 100 ml (200 mg), 200 ml (400 mg), 300 ml (600 mg). Susp 100 mg: Per 5 ml: Linezolid 100 mg.
Indications & Dosage
Pneumonia, complicated skin and soft-tissue infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria, when other antibacterials cannot be used: ORAL: Adult & Children above 12 yrs: 600 mg every 12 hours usually for 10-14 days; max. duration of treatment 28 days; Children birth-11 yr: 10 mg/kg every 8 hr for 10-14 days. BY IV INF: Adult: 600 mg every 12 hours. Lower Respiratory Infection: ORAL: Adults & Children above 12 yr: 600 mg every 12 hr for 10-14 days. Children birth-11 yr: 10 mg/kg orally every 8 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: See drug to drug IV Compatibility chart
Stability
Store at 25C (77F); excursions are permitted between 15C-30C (59F-86F). Protect from light. Keep the infusion bags in the overwrap until ready to use. Protect from freezing.
Precautions
Elderly (increased risk of blood disorders), history of seizures, unless close observation and blood pressure monitoring possible; linezolid should be avoided in uncontrolled hypertension, phaeochromocytoma, carcinoid tumour, thyrotoxicosis, bipolar depression, schizophrenia, or acute confusional states. Patients should avoid consuming large amounts of tyramine-rich foods (such as mature cheese, yeast extracts, undistilled alcoholic beverages, and fermentedsoya bean products)
Interactions
Adrenergic agents, tramadol. Linezolid is a reversible, non-selective monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), should not be given with another MAOI or within 2 weeks of stopping another MAOI. Unless close observation and blood pressure monitoring is possible, avoid in those receiving SSRIs, 5HT1 agonists, tricyclic antidepressants, sympathomimetics, dopaminergics, buspirone, pethidineand possibly other opioid analgesics
Pregnancy
Caution advised, use only if potential benefit outweighs risk
Lactation
Caution advised, avoid
Side Effects
Abdominal pain, diarrhoea, eosinophilia, headache, nausea, taste disturbances, vomiting, blurred vision, constipation, diaphoresis, dizziness, dry mouth, dyspepsia, electrolyte disturbances, fatigue, fever, gastritis, glossitis, hypertension, hypoaesthesia, insomnia, leucopenia, pancreatitis, paraesthesia, polyuria, pruritus, rash, stomatitis, thirst, thrombocytopenia, tinnitus, tongue & tooth discoloration, anaemia, antibiotic-associated colitis, convulsions, hyponatraemia, lactic acidosis, optic neuropathy (on prolonged therapy), pancytopenia, peripheral neuropathy (on prolonged therapy), Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis. Rare: Renal failure, tachycardia, transient ischaemic attacks