Zyvox

Generic name: Linezolid

Drug class: Oxazolidinone antibiotic

Dosage form: Tablet, oral suspension, injection

Route of administration: Oral, intravenous

Dose:

• Adults and adolescents (12 years and older): 600 mg twice daily (every 12 hours) for 10 to 14 days, depending on the infection. For vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium infections, treatment may extend up to 28 days.
• Children (up to 12 years): 10 mg/kg three times daily (every 8 hours) for 10 to 14 days, depending on the infection. For vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium infections, treatment may extend up to 28 days.

Mechanism of action: Linezolid inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 23S ribosomal RNA of the 50S subunit, preventing the formation of the initiation complex, thereby stopping bacterial growth.

Drug usage cases:

• Nosocomial pneumonia caused by Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin-susceptible and -resistant strains) or Streptococcus pneumoniae
• Community-acquired pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (including multi-drug resistant strains) or Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin-susceptible strains)
• Complicated skin and skin structure infections, including diabetic foot infections without concomitant osteomyelitis, caused by Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin-susceptible and -resistant strains), Streptococcus pyogenes, or Streptococcus agalactiae
• Uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin-susceptible strains) or Streptococcus pyogenes
• Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium infections, including cases with concurrent bacteremia

Drug contraindications:

• Known hypersensitivity to linezolid or any of its components
• Patients taking any monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or within two weeks of taking an MAOI

Side effects:

• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Anemia
• Hypertension
• Dyspepsia
• Localized abdominal pain
• Pruritus
• Tongue discoloration

Warnings:

• Risk of serotonin syndrome when used with serotonergic agents
• Hypertensive crisis with tyramine-containing foods
• Myelosuppression (bone marrow suppression) with prolonged use
• Peripheral and optic neuropathy with extended therapy
• Lactic acidosis in rare cases
• Risk of superinfection due to overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms

Use during pregnancy or breastfeeding: Linezolid is classified as pregnancy category C, indicating that risk cannot be ruled out. It should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. It is excreted in human milk; caution should be exercised when administering linezolid to a nursing woman.