Brand Name(s): Zyvox
Generic Name Linezolid
What are linezolid tablets?
LINEZOLID (Zyvox™) is an antibiotic. Linezolid kills or stops the growth of certain bacteria that cause certain infections. Linezolid is used to treat infections of the skin, bone, blood, lung and respiratory tract, and other tissues. Generic linezolid tablets are not yet available.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
•frequently drink alcoholic beverages, including wine or beer
•anxiety disorder
•asthma or bronchitis
•diabetes
•headaches or migraine
•heart or blood vessel disease, or irregular heart beats
•high blood pressure
•kidney disease
•liver disease
•over-active thyroid
•Parkinson's disease
•pheochromocytoma
•recent head trauma
•seizures or convulsions
•schizophrenia, psychosis or mania
•stroke or other cerebrovascular disease
•an unusual or allergic reaction to linezolid, other antibiotics or other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
•pregnant or trying to get pregnant
•breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
Take linezolid tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. You can take this medicine with food. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Finish the full course prescribed by your prescriber or health care professional even if you think your condition is better. Do not stop using except on your prescriber's advice. Ask your prescriber or health care professional if you have any questions.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses.
What drug(s) may interact with linezolid?
•alcohol
•bupropion
•caffeine
•cocaine
•cyclobenzaprine
•dextromethorphan
•diet pills, stimulants or amphetamine-like drugs
•furazolidone
•guarana
•medicines for allergies, colds, hayfever, sinus, and breathing difficulties
•medicines for headaches or migraine (such as naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan or Midrin®)
•medicines for high blood pressure and heart medicines
•medicines called MAO inhibitors- examples: phenelzine (Nardil®), tranylcypromine (Parnate®), isocarboxazid (Marplan®)
•medicines for mental depression, anxiety, psychotic disturbances or other mental problems
•meperidine
•procarbazine
•some medications for Parkinson's disease, such as entacapone, levodopa or tolcapone
•St. John's wort, Hypericum perforatum
•tramadol
•tryptophan
•tyramine—see below for foods that contain tyramine
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What side effects may I notice from receiving linezolid?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
Rare or uncommon:
•blurred vision or other changes in vision
•increased blood pressure
•irregular heart beat or palpitations
•severe or watery diarrhea
•skin bruising
•tremor
•unusual weakness or tiredness
More common:
•skin rash, itching
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
•change in taste
•headache
•mild diarrhea
•dizziness
•mild stomach upset
•nausea, vomiting
•temporary tongue discoloration
What should I watch for while taking linezolid?
Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not begin to improve in a few days.
If you get severe or watery diarrhea, do not treat yourself. Call your prescriber or health care professional for advice.
Because linezolid may interact with many over-the-counter medications, you must check with your prescriber before taking any non-prescription medicines while on this antibiotic. Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds, or allergies. Do not take any medications for weight loss. Some ingredients in these products may increase possible side effects.
Linezolid can interact with certain foods that contain tyramine to produce severe headaches, a rise in blood pressure, or irregular heart beat. Foods that contain significant amounts of tyramine include aged cheeses; meats and fish (especially aged, smoked, pickled, or processed such as bologna, pepperoni, salami, summer sausage); beer and ale; alcohol-free beer; wine (especially red); sherry; hard liquor; liqueurs; avocados; bananas; figs; raisins; soy sauce; miso soup; yeast/protein extracts; bean curd; fava or broad bean pods; or any over-ripe fruit. Ask your prescriber or health care professional, pharmacist, or nutritionist for a complete listing of tyramine-containing foods. Also, avoid drinks containing caffeine, such as tea, coffee, chocolate, or cola.
Call your prescriber or health care professional as soon as you can if you get frequent or severe headaches or have palpitations.
You may get drowsy, dizzy or have blurred vision. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Avoid alcoholic drinks.
Notify your health care professional if you are scheduled to have any surgery, procedure or medical testing (including myelography); tell your prescriber or health care professional that you have been taking linezolid.
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep this medicine out of reach of children.
Store the linezolid tablets at room temperature 15—30°C (59—86°F), away from direct heat and light. Do not freeze. Keep the prescription bottle tightly closed. Throw away any unused tablets after the expiration date.
| Available at: www.DrugDigest.org | Last Updated:06/07/2005 |
? 2007 Express Scripts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
These materials are the property of Express Scripts, Inc. and are protected by copyright, trademark, and other laws. Permission for use is granted only for personal, noncommercial purposes.