Linezolid, Oral/Injection

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: oxazolidinone antibiotic

Generic and brand names: linezolid, injection; linezolid, oral; Zyvox

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is used to treat bacterial infections that have become resistant to other antibiotics.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• bone marrow problems
• high blood pressure
• phenylketonuria (The liquid form contains phenylalanine.)
• pheochromocytoma (a tumor of the adrenal gland)
• seizures
• thyroid problems

Do not take this medicine if you are have taken an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), and tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 2 weeks.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

This medicine comes in 3 forms:

• tablets to take by mouth
• liquid to take by mouth
• IV infusions (slow drip through a needle into a large vein)

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes for as long as prescribed. If you stop taking it too soon, the infection may return.

You may take this medicine with or without food. If you have the liquid form of this medicine, gently mix it by turning the bottle upside down 3 to 5 times before you take it. Do not shake the bottle.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: weakness, loss of balance.

What should I watch out for?

Lactic acidosis is a rare but serious complication that can occur with use of this medicine. This condition is caused by a buildup of lactic acid in the blood. This happens more often in people with kidney problems. Most people with kidney problems should not take this medicine. The symptoms of lactic acidosis are:

• feeling weak or tired
• unusual muscle pain
• having trouble breathing
• feeling cold
• feeling dizzy or lightheaded
• suddenly developing a fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat

This medicine may cause or worsen diarrhea. If you develop diarrhea while taking this medicine, contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not treat yourself. Some diarrhea medicine will make your diarrhea worse.

This medicine may make you dizzy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.

If your symptoms do not improve within a few days or if they get worse, contact your healthcare provider.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual tiredness or weakness; black tarry stool; fast or irregular heartbeat; chest pain; vision changes; fever; unexplained muscle pain.

Other: Nausea, headache, dizziness, change in sense of taste, white patches in mouth or throat, vaginal discharge, diarrhea.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• antidepressants such escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa), doxepin, mirtazapine (Remeron), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), bupropion (Wellbutrin), venlafaxine (Effexor), duloxetine (Cymbalta), nefazodone, trazodone (Desyrel), amitriptyline, clomipramine (Anafranil), imipramine, and desipramine (Norpramin)
• buspirone (BuSpar)
• cold remedies and decongestants that contain pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) or dextromethorphan (Robitussin DM)
• diet pills such as phentermine and sibutramine (Meridia)
• heart medicines such as dopamine and dobutamine
• lithium (Lithobid)
• MAO inhibitor antidepressants such as phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or isocarboxazid (Marplan) (Do not take this medicine and an MAO inhibitor within 14 days of each other.)
• metoclopramide (Reglan)
• methyldopa
• medicines to treat Parkinson's disease such as carbidopa (Lodosyn) and levodopa/carbidopa (Sinemet)
• migraine medicine such as almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan (Frova), eletriptan (Relpax), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), sumatriptan (Imitrex), and zolmitriptan (Zomig)
• narcotic pain medicines such as fentanyl (Duragesic, Actiq) and meperidine (Demerol)
• St. John's wort
• stimulants such as methamphetamine (Desoxyn), methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta), amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall), and dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine, Dextrostat)
• tramadol (Ultram, Ultracet)

When taken with certain foods or drinks, this medicine can cause an increase in blood pressure. To avoid this, do not eat large amounts of foods or drink beverages that have a high tyramine content. This includes foods that are aged, fermented, pickled, or smoked, such as aged cheeses; yogurt, dried fruits, smoked fish, meat, or poultry; sauerkraut; soy sauce; red wine; or tap beer. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store the liquid at room temperature for 21 days. Do not refrigerate. Dispose of any liquid remaining after 21 days. Store the tablets in a tightly closed container at room temperature away from moisture.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.

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