Health Library

Linezolid (By mouth)

Linezolid (lin-AYZ-oh-lid)

Treats bacterial infections, including skin infections and pneumonia.

Brand Name(s):

Zyvox

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Liquid, Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.
• Oral liquid: Gently turn the bottle upside down 3 to 5 times before you pour your dose. Do not shake the bottle. Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.
• Take all of the medicine in your prescription to clear up your infection, even if you feel better after the first few doses.
• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. You may keep the oral liquid for up to 21 days. After that, throw away any unused medicine.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• You must avoid many other medicines while you are using linezolid. These medicines used together could cause serious health problems, including death. Ask your doctor before you use any other medicine. You may need to wait 1 to 5 weeks before you can use the other medicine.
• Do not use linezolid if you have used an MAOI in the past 14 days.
• Some other medicines that may interact with linezolid include buspirone, bupropion, dobutamine, dopamine, meperidine, cold or allergy medicine (including phenylpropanolamine, pseudoephedrine), medicine to treat depression (including SSRIs, TCAs), medicine to treat migraine headaches, narcotic pain medicine (including meperidine), or other medicine to treat bacterial infections. This is not a complete list.
• Avoid foods and drinks that are high in tyramine, because your blood pressure could get dangerously high. Your doctor should give you a complete list. In general, do not eat anything aged or fermented, such as most cheese, most alcohol, cured meat (such as salami), sauerkraut, and soy sauce. Check the expiration dates on packages. Tyramine levels get higher as food gets older or if it has not been refrigerated properly.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, bone marrow problems, carcinoid syndrome, diabetes, pheochromocytoma (a tumor of the adrenal gland), thyroid problems, high blood pressure, other types of infection, or a history of seizures.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Lactic acidosis (too much lactic acid in the blood)
  • Serotonin syndrome, when taken with certain medicines
  • Nerve problems, especially in the eyes, hands, arms, legs, or feet
  • Rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle problem)
  • Hyponatremia (low sodium levels in the blood) or syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH)
• This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.
• This medicine can cause diarrhea. Call your doctor if the diarrhea becomes severe, does not stop, or is bloody. Do not take any medicine to stop diarrhea until you have talked to your doctor. Diarrhea can occur 2 months or more after you stop taking this medicine.
• The oral liquid contains phenylalanine (aspartame). Tell your doctor if you have phenylketonuria.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
• Talk with your doctor before using this medicine if you plan to have children. Some men who use this medicine have become infertile (unable to have children).
• If your symptoms do not improve within 28 days or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Anxiety, restlessness, fast or uneven heartbeat, sweating, muscle spasms, stiffness, or twitching, diarrhea, seeing or hearing things that are not there
• Diarrhea that contains blood
• Fast breathing, trouble breathing, nausea and vomiting, lightheadedness, severe weakness, tiredness, or confusion
• Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, body aches
• Muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, dark urine
• Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet
• Seizures
• Sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Vision changes, trouble seeing

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Headache
• Mild nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 9/6/2024