Linezolid – what is this drug? When should you take it?

In line with its mission, the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony makes every effort to provide reliable medical content supported by the latest scientific knowledge. The additional flag “Checked Content” indicates that the article has been reviewed by or written directly by a physician. This two-step verification: a medical journalist and a doctor allows us to provide the highest quality content in line with current medical knowledge.

Our commitment in this area has been appreciated, among others, by by the Association of Journalists for Health, which awarded the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony with the honorary title of the Great Educator.

Linezolid is a powerful antibacterial drug that cannot be combined with other MAO inhibitors. The drug is used in a hospital setting through injections. Find out more about the use and operation of Linezolid.

Linezolid – action

Linezolid is an antibiotic of the oxazolidinone class. It is an antibacterial drug. The active substance (linezolid) has an effect on aerobic gram-positive bacteria, anaerobic microorganisms and anaerobic gram-positive bacteria.

The drug inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding to selected sites on the bacterial ribosome and creating the possibility of the formation of an active initiating complex.

Linezolid affects:

  1. aerobic gram-positive bacteria, that is: Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase negative staphylococci, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, group C and G streptococci;
  2. Gram-positive anaerobes, including: Clostridium perfringens, Peptostreptococcus anaerobius, Peptostreptococcus spp.

The drug has no cross-resistance with other antibiotics. Clinical trials have confirmed the properties of not a selective and MAO inhibitor but no antidepressant effect.

  1. What are the causes of asymptomatic pneumonia? What is the diagnosis and treatment of this ailment?

Linezolid – indications for use

Linezolid should be used in the event of:

  1. nosocomial or post-hospital pneumonia when the pathogenic microorganism is gram-positive bacteria;
  2. complicated infections of the skin and soft tissues when they were caused by gram-positive bacteria.

Linezolid – contraindications

The main contraindication to the use of the drug is allergy or hypersensitivity to any of its components. In addition, linezolid is not recommended for patients who:

  1. takes other MAO inhibitors in parallel (e.g. phenelzine, isocarboxazid, selegiline, moclobemide);
  2. has problems with blood pressure, and it is not possible to control the pressure regularly, for example: suffering from hypertension, hyperthyroidism, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, confusion;
  3. taking serotonergic drugs in parallel, as there is a risk of serotonin syndrome;
  4. is under 18 years of age.

Particular care should be taken in the case of:

  1. anemia
  2. granulocytopeni,
  3. thrombocytopenia,
  4. taking medications that lower the levels of hemoglobin or blood cells
  5. severe kidney failure,
  6. taking linezolid for more than 10-14 days,
  7. liver failure
  8. diabetic foot,
  9. severe burns or gangrene.

Linezolid – side effects

  1. headaches,
  2. diarrhea,
  3. nausea,
  4. fungal infections,
  5. vomiting,
  6. biochemical disorders.
  7. dermatitis,
  8. itching
  9. hives
  10. decreased vision,
  11. tinnitus
  12. dry throat
  13. increased thirst
  14. indigestion,
  15. vaginal discomfort (pain, inflammation).
  16. stomach ache in one place
  17. inflammation of the pancreas,
  18. ischemic attacks,
  19. peripheral nerves and vision disorders.

Leave a Reply