Linezolid (in Nacl)

Introduction

Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Patricia Weiser, PharmD
Updated on September 8, 2023

Linezolid (li NE zoh lid) is a generic medication prescribed for certain infections caused by bacteria. Linezolid belongs to a group of drugs called antibiotics.

This article doesn’t provide coupons for all forms of linezolid. To find coupons for linezolid injection, see this article.

Side effects of linezolid

Linezolid may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of linezolid and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about linezolid’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for linezolid listed in the “Resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with some forms of linezolid are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about linezolid’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for linezolid listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Linezolid oral tablet and injection mild side effects may include:

• diarrhea
• headache
• nausea or vomiting
• tongue color changes
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for linezolid” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of linezolid are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about linezolid’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for linezolid listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, linezolid’s serious side effects include:

• changes in liver function tests
• watery or bloody diarrhea that’s caused by Clostridioides difficile (C.diff)
• severe vomiting, which may lead to lactic acidosis (buildup of lactic acid in the blood)
• low blood cell counts, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets
• nerve damage
• seizures
• vision problems due to damage to the optic nerve (the eye’s main nerve)
• yeast infections of the mouth or vagina
• severe allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for linezolid” section.

Interactions and warnings for linezolid

Below you’ll find information about linezolid’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of linezolid

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take linezolid, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for linezolid” section below.

Warnings for linezolid

Some people should not take linezolid, and others should take it cautiously.

Linezolid could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether linezolid is a safe option for you.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for linezolid, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Linezolid can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to linezolid or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe linezolid. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• severe skin rashes that may blister and peel
• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to linezolid, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of linezolid

If you take linezolid by mouth, you should not take more linezolid than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken too much linezolid, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and linezolid

Information about linezolid and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Linezolid and pregnancy

It’s not known whether linezolid should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Linezolid and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether linezolid should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Uses of linezolid

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as linezolid for certain conditions. Approved uses for linezolid are described below.

Use for certain bacterial infections

Doctors may prescribe linezolid oral tablet, oral suspension,* or injection† for treating certain bacterial infections. It’s used for this purpose in adults and children. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.

With a bacterial infection, a harmful type of bacteria invades the body and starts growing and multiplying. This causes an infection. The symptoms of the infection can vary depending on where in the body it occurs.

Linezolid mainly treats pneumonia (a lung infection) and skin infections. Symptoms of pneumonia can include cough, chest pain, and fever. Skin infections can cause pain, redness or discoloration, and a feeling of warmth in the affected area.

Linezolid also helps treat and clear up certain infections that won’t respond to another type of antibiotic called vancomycin.

Doctors may not prescribe linezolid oral tablet, oral suspension, or injection for longer than 28 days. This is because the safety and effectiveness of taking this drug for longer than 28 days isn’t known.

Also, linezolid isn’t used for treating infections caused by certain types of bacteria. Because of this, your doctor will likely use tests to find out what type of bacteria is causing your infection before prescribing linezolid.

* An oral suspension is a type of liquid mixture that’s taken by mouth.
† Linezolid is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion, which is an injection into a vein that’s given over time.

Common questions about linezolid

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about linezolid.

Is linezolid similar to vancomycin?

Yes, linezolid is similar to vancomycin. They’re both antibiotics that treat certain infections caused by bacteria. These two drugs belong to different groups of antibiotics. So they have different uses, side effects, and warnings. But in some cases, linezolid can be a good alternative to vancomycin.

You can learn more about how these two drugs compare by talking with your doctor or pharmacist.

How does linezolid work? And how long does it take to start working?

Linezolid works by killing harmful bacteria in your body and stopping them from growing. This helps your body get rid of the infection. Once the infection starts to get better, your symptoms will usually start to improve.

Linezolid starts working soon after you take your first dose. But it can take a few days of treatment for your symptoms to improve. Even if you feel much better, it’s important to keep taking linezolid and to finish the whole treatment course. This helps keep the infection from coming back. Infections that come back can be harder to treat.

If you’d like to know more about how this drug works, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

What to ask your doctor

Let your doctor know if you have questions about linezolid or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• How should I take linezolid?
• Is there anything I need to avoid while taking linezolid?
• Will any of my other medications interact with linezolid?
• Am I at higher risk of side effects than other people who take linezolid?

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Linezolid for oral suspension. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/16007ca5-7956-4414-af38-406a6623400e/spl-doc
• Linezolid injection, for intravenous use. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/b721756c-3b5e-456d-a2f6-0d8a56cc7f35/spl-doc
• Linezolid tablets, for oral use. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/9d1b4d0a-0fd9-448b-a28f-51ed05a5a0cf/spl-doc

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.