Lizod

Tab: White color oval shaped tablet with score line in one side and plain on other side.
Each film-coated tablet contains: Linezolid 600 mg.
IV: Clear colourless to slightly brown or yellowish-brown color solution.
Each mL contains: Linezolid 2 mg.

Antibacterial (Oxazolidinone).
Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics: Tab: Linezolid is a synthetic, antibacterial agent that belongs to a new class of antimicrobials, the oxazolidinones. It has in vitro activity against aerobic Gram-positive bacteria and anaerobic micro-organisms. Linezolid selectively inhibits bacterial protein synthesis via a unique mechanism of action. Specifically, it binds to a site on the bacterial ribosome (23S of the 50S subunit) and prevents the formation of a functional 70S initiation complex which is an essential component of the translation process.
IV: General Properties: Linezolid is a synthetic, antibacterial agent that belongs to a new class of antimicrobials, the oxazolidinones. It has in vitro activity against aerobic Gram-positive bacteria and anaerobic microorganisms.
Mechanism of action: Linezolid selectively inhibits bacterial protein synthesis via a unique mechanism of action. Specifically, it binds to a site on the bacterial ribosome (23S of the 50S subunit) and prevents the formation of a functional 70S initiation complex which is an essential component of the translation process.
The in vitro post-antibiotic effect (PAE) of linezolid for Staphylococcus aureus was approximately 2 hours. When measured in animal models, the in vivo PAE was 3.6 and 3.9 hours for Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae, respectively. In animal studies, the key pharmacodynamics parameter for efficacy was the time for which the linezolid plasma level exceeded the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for the infecting organism.
Pharmacokinetics: Absorption: Linezolid is rapidly and extensively absorbed following oral dosing. Maximum plasma concentrations are reached within 2 hours of dosing. Absolute oral bioavailability of linezolid (oral and intravenous dosing in a crossover study) is complete (approximately 100%). Absorption is not significantly affected by food and absorption from the oral suspension is similar to that achieved with the film-coated tablets.
Distribution: Volume of distribution-at-steady-state averages at about 40-50 litres in healthy adults and approximates to total body water. Plasma protein binding is about 31% and is not concentration dependent.
Biotransformation: Linezolid is primarily metabolised by oxidation of the morpholine ring resulting mainly in the formation of two inactive open-ring carboxylic acid derivatives; the aminoethoxyacetic acid metabolite (PNU-142300) and the hydroxyethyl glycine metabolite (PNU-142586). The hydroxyethyl glycine metabolite (PNU-142586) is the predominant human metabolite and is believed to be formed by a non-enzymatic process. The aminoethoxyacetic acid metabolite (PNU-142300) is less abundant. Other minor, inactive metabolites have been characterised.
Elimination: In patients with normal renal function or mild to moderate renal insufficiency, linezolid is primarily excreted under steady-state conditions in the urine as PNU-142586 (40%), parent drug (30%) and PNU-142300 (10%). Virtually no parent drug is found in the faeces whilst approximately 6% and 3% of each dose appears as PNU-142586 and PNU-142300, respectively. The elimination half-life of linezolid averages at about 5-7 hours.
IV: Linezolid primarily contains (s)-linezolid which is biologically active and is metabolised to form inactive derivatives.
Absorption: Plasma linezolid C_max and C_min (mean and [SD]) at steady-state following twice daily intravenous dosing of 600 mg have been determined to be 15.1 [2.5] mg/L and 3.68 [2.68] mg/L, respectively.
In another study following oral dosing of 600 mg twice daily to steady-state, C_max and C_min were determined to be 21.2 [5.8] mg/L and 6.15 [2.94] mg/L, respectively. Steady-min state conditions are achieved by the second day of dosing.
Distribution: Linezolid concentrations have been determined in various fluids from a limited number of subjects in volunteer studies following multiple dosing. The ratio of linezolid in saliva and sweat relative to plasma was 1.2:1.0 and 0.55:1.0, respectively. The ratio for epithelial lining fluid and alveolar cells of the lung was 4.5:1.0 and 0.15:1.0, when measured at steady-state C_max, respectively.
In a small study of subjects with ventricular-peritoneal shunts and essentially noninflamed meninges, the ratio of linezolid in cerebrospinal fluid to plasma at C_max was 0.7:1.0 after multiple linezolid dosing.
Elimination: Non-renal clearance accounts for approximately 65% of the total clearance of linezolid. A small degree of non-linearity in clearance is observed with increasing doses of linezolid. This appears to be due to lower renal and non-renal clearance at higher linezolid concentrations.
However, the difference in clearance is small and is not reflected in the apparent elimination half-life.
Special Populations: Renal impairment: After single doses of 600 mg, there was a seven to eight fold increase in exposure to the two primary metabolites of linezolid in the plasma of patients with severe renal insufficiency (i.e. creatinine clearance <30 mL/min). However, there was no increase in AUC of parent drug.
Although there is some removal of the major metabolites of linezolid by haemodialysis, metabolite plasma levels after single 600 mg doses were still considerably higher following dialysis than those observed in patients with normal renal function or mild to moderate renal insufficiency.
In 24 patients with severe renal insufficiency, 21 of whom were on regular haemodialysis, peak plasma concentrations of the two major metabolites after several days dosing were about ten fold those seen in patients with normal renal function.
Peak plasma levels of linezolid were not affected.
The clinical significance of these observations has not been established as limited safety data are currently available.
Hepatic impairment: Limited data indicate that the pharmacokinetics of linezolid, PNU-142300 and PNU-142586 are not altered in patients with mild to moderate hepatic insufficiency (i.e. Child-Pugh class A or B). The pharmacokinetics of linezolid in patients with severe hepatic insufficiency (i.e. Child-Pugh class C) have not been evaluated. However, as linezolid is metabolised by a non-enzymatic process, impairment of hepatic function would not be expected to significantly alter its metabolism.
Paediatric population: There are insufficient data on the safety and efficacy of linezolid in children and adolescents (<18 years old) and therefore, use of linezolid in this age group is not recommended. Further studies are needed to establish safe and effective dosage recommendations.
Pharmacokinetic studies indicate that after single and multiple doses in children (one week to 12 years), linezolid clearance (based on kg body weight) was greater in paediatric patients than in adults, but decreased with increasing age.
In children one week to 12 years old, administration of 10 mg/kg every 8 hours daily gave exposure approximating to that achieved with 600 mg twice daily in adults.
In neonates up to one week of age, the systemic clearance of linezolid (based on kg body weight) increases rapidly in the first week of life. Therefore, neonates given 10 mg/kg every 8 hours daily will have the greatest systemic exposure on the first day after delivery. However, excessive accumulation is not expected with this dosage regimen during the first week of life as clearance increases rapidly over that period.
In adolescents (12 to 17 years old), linezolid pharmacokinetics were similar to that in adults following a 600 mg dose. Therefore, adolescents administered 600 mg every 12 hours daily will have similar exposure to that observed in adults receiving the same dosage.
In paediatric patients with ventriculoperitoneal shunts who were administered linezolid 10 mg/kg either 12 hourly or 8 hourly, variable cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) linezolid concentrations were observed following either single or multiple dosing of linezolid. Therapeutic concentrations were not consistently achieved or maintained in the CSF. Therefore, the use of linezolid for the empirical treatment of paediatric patients with central nervous system infections is not recommended.
Older people: The pharmacokinetics of linezolid are not significantly altered in elderly patients aged 65 and over.
Female patients: Females have a slightly lower volume of distribution than males and the mean clearance is reduced by approximately 20% when corrected for body weight. Plasma concentrations are higher in females and this can partly be attributed to body weight differences. However, because the mean half-life of linezolid is not significantly different in males and females, plasma concentrations in females are not expected to substantially rise above those known to be well tolerated and, therefore, dose adjustments are not required.

Nosocomial pneumonia; Community acquired pneumonia: Linezolid is indicated in adults for the treatment of community acquired pneumonia and nosocomial pneumonia when known or suspected to be caused by susceptible Gram-positive bacteria. In determining whether Linezolid is an appropriate treatment, the results of microbiological tests or information on the prevalence of resistance to antibacterial agents among Gram-positive bacteria should be taken into consideration.
Linezolid is not active against infections caused by Gram-negative pathogens.
Specific therapy against Gram-negative organisms must be initiated concomitantly if a Gram-negative pathogen is documented or suspected.
Complicated skin and soft tissue infections: Linezolid is indicated in adults for the treatment of complicated skin and soft tissue infections only when microbiological testing has established that the infection is known to be caused by susceptible Gram-positive bacteria.
Linezolid is not active against infections caused by Gram-negative pathogens. Linezolid should only be used in patients with complicated skin and soft tissue infections with known or possible co-infection with Gram-negative organisms if there are no alternative treatment options available. In these circumstances treatment against Gram-negative organisms must be initiated concomitantly.
Treatment with linezolid should only be initiated in a hospital environment and after consultation with a relevant specialist such as a microbiologist or an infectious diseases specialist.
IV: Consideration should be given to official guidance on the appropriate use of antibacterial agents.

Posology: Linezolid solution for infusion, film-coated tablets or oral suspension may be used as initial therapy. Patients who commence treatment on the parenteral formulation may be switched to either oral presentation when clinically indicated. In such circumstances, no dose adjustment is required as linezolid has an oral bioavailability of approximately 100%.
Recommended dosage and duration of treatment for adults: The duration of treatment is dependent on the pathogen, the site of infection and its severity, and on the patient's clinical response.
The maximum treatment duration is 28 days. The safety and effectiveness of linezolid when administered for periods longer than 28 days have not been established.
No increase in the recommended dosage or duration of treatment is required for infections associated with concurrent bacteraemia.
The dose recommendation for the solution for infusion and the tablets/granules for oral suspension are identical and are follows: see Table 1.

Click on icon to see table/diagram/image

Tab: Paediatric population: The safety and efficacy of linezolid in children aged (<18 years old) has not been established.
Elderly: No dose adjustment is required.
Renal impairment: No dose adjustment is required.
Severe renal impairment (i.e. CLCR <30 mL/min): No dose adjustment is required. Due to the unknown clinical significance of higher exposure (up to 10 fold) to the two primary metabolites of linezolid in patients with severe renal insufficiency, linezolid should be used with special caution in these patients and only when the anticipated benefit is considered to outweigh the theoretical risk.
As approximately 30% of a linezolid dose is removed during 3 hours of haemodialysis, linezolid should be given after dialysis in patients receiving such treatment. The primary metabolites of linezolid are removed to some extent by haemodialysis, but the concentrations of these metabolites are still very considerably higher following dialysis than those observed in patients with normal renal function or mild to moderate renal insufficiency.
Therefore, linezolid should be used with special caution in patients with severe renal insufficiency who are undergoing dialysis and only when the anticipated benefit is considered to outweigh the theoretical risk.
To date, there is no experience of linezolid administration to patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) or alternative treatments for renal failure (other than haemodialysis).
Hepatic impairment: No dose adjustment is required. However, there are limited clinical data and it is recommended that linezolid should be used in such patients only when the anticipated benefit is considered to outweigh the theoretical risk.
Method of administration: The recommended linezolid dosage should be administered orally twice daily.
Route of administration: Oral use.
The film-coated tablets may be taken with or without food.
IV: The following recommendations for duration of therapy reflect those used in the clinical trials. Shorter treatment regimens may be suitable for some types of infection but have not been evaluated in clinical trials.
Older people: No dose adjustment is required.
Patients with renal impairment: No dose adjustment is required.
Patients with severe renal impairment (i.e. CLcr <30 mL/min): No dose adjustment is required. Due to the unknown clinical significance of higher exposure (up to 10 fold) to the two primary metabolites of linezolid in patients with severe renal insufficiency, linezolid should be used with special caution in these patients and only when the anticipated benefit is considered to outweigh the theoretical risk.
As approximately 30% of a linezolid dose is removed during 3 hours of haemodialysis, linezolid should be given after dialysis in patients receiving such treatment. The primary metabolites of linezolid are removed to some extent by haemodialysis, but the concentrations of these metabolites are still very considerably higher following dialysis than those observed in patients with normal renal function or mild to moderate renal insufficiency.
Therefore, linezolid should be used with special caution in patients with severe renal insufficiency who are undergoing dialysis and only when the anticipated benefit is considered to outweigh the theoretical risk. To date, there is no experience of linezolid administration to patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) or alternative treatments for renal failure (other than haemodialysis).
Patients with hepatic impairment: No dose adjustment is required. However, there are limited clinical data and it is recommended that linezolid should be used in such patients only when the anticipated benefit is considered to outweigh the theoretical risk.
Paediatric population: There are insufficient data on the safety and efficacy of linezolid in children and adolescents (<18 years old) to establish dosage recommendations. Therefore, until further data are available, use of linezolid in this age group is not recommended.
Method of administration: The recommended dosage of Linezolid 2 mg/mL Solution for Infusion should be administered intravenously over a period of 30 to 120 minutes.

No specific antidote is known.
No cases of overdose have been reported. However, the following information may prove useful: Supportive care is advised together with maintenance of glomerular filtration.
Approximately 30% of a linezolid dose is removed during 3 hours of haemodialysis, but no data are available for the removal of linezolid by peritoneal dialysis or haemoperfusion. The two primary metabolites of linezolid are also removed to some extent by haemodialysis.
Signs of toxicity in rats following doses of 3000 mg/kg/day linezolid were decreased activity and ataxia whilst dogs treated with 2000 mg/kg/day experienced vomiting and tremors.

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients.
Linezolid should not be used in patients taking any medicinal product which inhibits monoamine oxidases A or B (e.g. phenelzine, isocarboxazid, selegiline, moclobemide) or within two weeks of taking any such medicinal product.
Unless there are facilities available for close observation and monitoring of blood pressure, Linezolid should not be administered to patients with the following underlying clinical conditions or on the following types of concomitant medications: Patients with uncontrolled hypertension, phaeochromocytoma, carcinoid, thyrotoxicosis, bipolar depression, schizoaffective disorder, acute confusional states.
Patients taking any of the following medications: serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, serotonin 5-HT1 receptor agonists (triptans), directly and indirectly acting sympathomimetic agents (including the adrenergic bronchodilators, pseudoephedrine and phenylpropanolamine), vasopressive agents (e.g. epinephrine, norepinephrine), dopaminergic agents (e.g. dopamine, dobutamine), pethidine or buspirone.
IV: Animal data suggest that linezolid and its metabolites may pass into breast milk and, accordingly, breastfeeding should be discontinued prior to and throughout administration.

Myelosuppression: Myelosuppression (including anaemia, leucopenia, pancytopenia and thrombocytopenia) has been reported in patients receiving linezolid. In cases where the outcome is known, when linezolid was discontinued, the affected haematologic parameters have risen toward pretreatment levels. The risk of these effects appears to be related to the duration of treatment. Elderly patients treated with linezolid may be at greater risk of experiencing blood dyscrasias than younger patients. Thrombocytopenia may occur more commonly in patients with severe renal insufficiency, whether or not on dialysis. Therefore, close monitoring of blood counts is recommended in patients who: have pre-existing anaemia, granulocytopenia or thrombocytopenia; are receiving concomitant medications that may decrease haemoglobin levels, depress blood counts or adversely affect platelet count or function; have severe renal insufficiency; receive more than 10-14 days of therapy. Linezolid should be administered to such patients only when close monitoring of haemoglobin levels, blood counts and platelet counts is possible.
If significant myelosuppression occurs during linezolid therapy, treatment should be stopped unless it is considered absolutely necessary to continue therapy, in which case intensive monitoring of blood counts and appropriate management strategies should be implemented.
Antibiotic-associated diarrhoea and colitis: Antibiotic-associated diarrhoea and antibiotic-associated colitis, including pseudomembranous colitis and Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea, has been reported in association with the use of nearly all antibiotics including linezolid and may range in severity from mild diarrhoea to fatal colitis. Therefore, it is important to consider this diagnosis in patients who develop serious diarrhoea during or after the use of linezolid. If antibiotic-associated diarrhoea or antibiotic-associated colitis is suspected or confirmed, ongoing treatment with antibacterial agents, including linezolid, should be discontinued and adequate therapeutic measures should be initiated immediately. Drugs inhibiting peristalsis are contraindicated in this situation.
Lactic acidosis: Lactic acidosis has been reported with the use of linezolid. Patients who develop signs and symptoms of metabolic acidosis including recurrent nausea or vomiting, abdominal pain, a low bicarbonate level, or hyperventilation while receiving linezolid should receive immediate medical attention. If lactic acidosis occurs, the benefits of continued use of linezolid should be weighed against the potential risks.
Mitochondrial dysfunction: Linezolid inhibits mitochondrial protein synthesis. Adverse events, such as lactic acidosis, anaemia and neuropathy (optic and peripheral), may occur as a result of this inhibition; these events are more common when the drug is used longer than 28 days.
Serotonin syndrome: Spontaneous reports of serotonin syndrome associated with the co-administration of linezolid and serotonergic agents, including antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have been reported. Co-administration of linezolid and serotonergic agents is therefore contraindicated except where administration of linezolid and concomitant serotonergic agents is essential. In those cases patients should be closely observed for signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome such as cognitive dysfunction, hyperpyrexia, hyperreflexia and incoordination. If signs or symptoms occur physicians should consider discontinuing either one or both agents; if the concomitant serotonergic agent is withdrawn, discontinuation symptoms can occur.
Peripheral and optic neuropathy: Peripheral neuropathy, as well as optic neuropathy and optic neuritis sometimes progressing to loss of vision, have been reported in patients treated with Linezolid; these reports have primarily been in patients treated for longer than the maximum recommended duration of 28 days.
There may be an increased risk of neuropathies when linezolid is used in patients currently taking or who have recently taken antimycobacterial medications for the treatment of tuberculosis.
Convulsions: Convulsions have been reported to occur in patients when treated with Linezolid. In most of these cases, a history of seizures or risk factors for seizures was reported. Patients should be advised to inform their physician if they have a history of seizures.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors: Linezolid is a reversible, non-selective inhibitor of monoamine oxidase (MAOI); however, at the doses used for antibacterial therapy, it does not exert an anti-depressive effect. There are very limited data from drug interaction studies and on the safety of linezolid when administered to patients with underlying conditions and/or on concomitant medications which might put them at risk from MAO inhibition. Therefore, linezolid is not recommended for use in these circumstances unless close observation and monitoring of the recipient is possible.
Use with tyramine-rich foods: Patients should be advised against consuming large amounts of tyramine-rich foods.
Superinfection: The effects of linezolid therapy on normal flora have not been evaluated in clinical trials. The use of antibiotics may occasionally result in an overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms. For example, approximately 3% of patients receiving the recommended linezolid doses experienced drug-related candidiasis during clinical trials. Should superinfection occur during therapy, appropriate measures should be taken.
Tab: Special populations: Linezolid should be used with special caution in patients with severe renal insufficiency and only when the anticipated benefit is considered to outweigh the theoretical risk.
It is recommended that linezolid should be given to patients with severe hepatic insufficiency only when the perceived benefit outweighs the theoretical risk.
Use in Pregnancy & Lactation: See Use in Pregnancy & Lactation section for further information.
IV: Myelosuppression: In addition, it is recommended that complete blood counts (including haemoglobin levels, platelets, and total and differentiated leukocyte counts) should be monitored weekly in patients who receive linezolid regardless of baseline blood count.
In compassionate use studies, a higher incidence of serious anaemia was reported in patients receiving linezolid for more than the maximum recommended duration of 28 days. These patients more often required blood transfusion. Cases of anaemia requiring blood transfusion have also been reported post marketing, with more cases occurring in patients who received linezolid therapy for more than 28 days.
Cases of sideroblastic anaemia have been reported post-marketing. Where time of onset was known, most patients had received linezolid therapy for more than 28 days.
Most patients fully or partially recovered following discontinuation of linezolid with or without treatment for their anaemia.
Mortality imbalance in a clinical trial in patients with catheter-related Gram-positive bloodstream infections.
Excess mortality was seen in patients treated with linezolid, relative to vancomycin/dicloxacillin/oxacillin, in an open-label study in seriously ill patients with intravascular catheter-related infections [78/363 (21.5%) vs 58/363 (16.0%)]. The main factor influencing the mortality rate was the Gram-positive infection status at baseline.
Mortality rates were similar in patients with infections caused purely by Gram-positive organisms (odds ratio 0.96; 95% confidence interval: 0.58-1.59) but were significantly higher (p=0.0162) in the linezolid arm in patients with any other pathogen or no pathogen at baseline (odds ratio 2.48; 95% confidence interval: 1.38-4.46). The greatest imbalance occurred during treatment and within 7 days following discontinuation of study drug. More patients in the linezolid arm acquired Gram-negative pathogens during the study and died from infection caused by Gram-negative pathogens and polymicrobial infections. Therefore, in complicated skin and soft tissue infections linezolid should only be used in patients with known or possible co-infection with Gram-negative organisms if there are no alternative treatment options available. In these circumstances treatment against Gram-negative organisms must be initiated concomitantly.
Antibiotic-associated diarrhoea and colitis: Pseudomembranous colitis has been reported with nearly all antibacterial agents, including linezolid. Therefore, it is important to consider this diagnosis in patients who present with diarrhoea subsequent to the administration of any antibacterial agent. In cases of suspected or verified antibiotic-associated colitis, discontinuation of linezolid may be warranted. Appropriate management measures should be instituted.
Peripheral and optic neuropathy: All patients should be advised to report symptoms of visual impairment, such as changes in visual acuity, changes in colour vision, blurred vision, or visual field defect. In such cases, prompt evaluation is recommended with referral to an ophthalmologist as necessary. If any patients are taking linezolid for longer than the recommended 28 days, their visual function should be regularly monitored.
If peripheral or optic neuropathy occurs, the continued use of linezolid should be weighed against the potential risks.
Clinical trials: The safety and effectiveness of linezolid when administered for periods longer than 28 days have not been established. Controlled clinical trials did not include patients with diabetic foot lesions, decubitus or ischaemic lesions, severe burns or gangrene. Therefore, experience in the use of linezolid in the treatment of these conditions is limited.
Excipients: Each mL of the solution contains 45.7 mg (i.e. 13.7 g/300 mL) of glucose. This should be taken into account in patients with diabetes mellitus or other conditions associated with glucose intolerance.
Each mL of solution also contains 0.38 mg (114 mg/300 mL) of sodium. The sodium content should be taken into account in patients on a controlled sodium diet.
Effects on ability to drive and use machines: Linezolid has a potential influence on the ability to drive and use machines.
Patients should be warned about the potential for dizziness or symptoms of visual impairment and should be advised not to drive or operate machinery if any of these symptoms occurs.
Renal impairment: Linezolid should be used with special caution in patients with severe renal insufficiency and only when the anticipated benefit is considered to outweigh the theoretical risk.
Hepatic impairment: It is recommended that linezolid should be given to patients with severe hepatic insufficiency only when the perceived benefit outweighs the theoretical risk.

Fertility: In animals studies, linezolid caused a reduction in fertility.
Impairment of fertility: Linezolid reversibly decreased fertility and induced abnormal sperm morphology in adult male rats at exposure levels approximately equal to those expected in humans; possible effects of linezolid on the human male reproductive system are not known.
Tab: Pregnancy: There are limited data from the use of linezolid in pregnant women. Studies in animals have shown reproductive toxicity. A potential risk for humans exists.
Linezolid should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly necessary i.e. only if the potential benefit outweighs the theoretical risk.
Breast-feeding: Animal data suggest that linezolid and its metabolites may pass into breast milk and, accordingly, breast-feeding should be discontinued prior to and throughout administration.
IV: Pregnancy: There are no adequate data from the use of linezolid in pregnant women. Studies in animals have shown reproductive toxicity.
Linezolid should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly necessary i.e. only if the potential benefit outweighs the theoretical risk.
Lactation: Available pharmacodynamic/toxicological data in animals have shown excretion of linezolid/metabolites in milk.
Breast-feeding should be discontinued during treatment with linezolid.

Tab: The following undesirable effects have been observed and reported during treatment with linezolid with the following frequencies: Very common (≥1/10); common (≥1/100 to <1/10); uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100); rare (≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000); very rare (<1/10,000); Not known (cannot be estimated from the available data): see Table 2.

Click on icon to see table/diagram/image

IV: The table as follows provides a listing of the most serious and frequent (≥0.1%) adverse drug reactions that occurred in clinical studies that enrolled more than 2,000 adult patients who received the recommended linezolid doses for up to 28 days.
Those most commonly reported were diarrhoea (8.4%), headache (6.5%), nausea (6.3%) and vomiting (4.0%).
The most commonly reported drug-related adverse events which led to discontinuation of treatment were headache, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting. About 3% of patients discontinued treatment because they experienced a drug-related adverse event.
Additional adverse reactions reported from post-marketing experience are included in the table with frequency category 'Not known', since the actual frequency cannot be estimated from the available data.
The following undesirable effects have been observed and reported during treatment with linezolid with the following frequencies (see Table as follows): Very common (≥1/10); common (≥1/100 to <1/10); uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100); rare (≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000); very rare (<1/10,000); Not known (cannot be estimated from the available data). (See Table 3.)

Click on icon to see table/diagram/image

Paediatric population: Safety data from clinical studies based on more than 500 paediatric patients (from birth to 17 years) do not indicate that the safety profile of linezolid for paediatric patients differs from that for adult patients.

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors: Linezolid is a reversible, non-selective inhibitor of monoamine oxidase (MAOI).
There are very limited data from drug interaction studies and on the safety of linezolid when administered to patients on concomitant medications that might put them at risk from MAO inhibition. Therefore, linezolid is not recommended for use in these circumstances unless close observation and monitoring of the recipient is possible.
Potential interactions producing elevation of blood pressure: In normotensive healthy volunteers, linezolid enhanced the increases in blood pressure caused by pseudoephedrine and phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride. Co-administration of linezolid with either pseudoephedrine or phenylpropanolamine resulted in mean increases in systolic blood pressure of the order of 30-40 mmHg, compared with 11-15 mmHg increases with linezolid alone, 14-18 mmHg with either pseudoephedrine or phenylpropanolamine alone and 8-11 mmHg with placebo. Similar studies in hypertensive subjects have not been conducted. It is recommended that doses of drugs with a vasopressive action, including dopaminergic agents, should be carefully titrated to achieve the desired response when co-administered with linezolid.
Potential serotonergic interactions: The potential drug-drug interaction with dextromethorphan was studied in healthy volunteers. Subjects were administered dextromethorphan (two 20 mg doses given 4 hours apart) with or without linezolid. No serotonin syndrome effects (confusion, delirium, restlessness, tremors, blushing, diaphoresis, hyperpyrexia) have been observed in normal subjects receiving linezolid and dextromethorphan.
Use with tyramine-rich foods: No significant pressor response was observed in subjects receiving both linezolid and less than 100 mg tyramine. This suggests that it is only necessary to avoid ingesting excessive amounts of food and beverages with a high tyramine content (e.g. mature cheese, yeast extracts, undistilled alcoholic beverages and fermented soya bean products such as soy sauce).
Drugs metabolised by cytochrome P450: Linezolid is not detectably metabolised by the cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme system and it does not inhibit any of the clinically significant human CYP isoforms (1A2, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1, 3A4). Similarly, linezolid does not induce P450 isoenzymes in rats. Therefore, no CYP450-induced drug interactions are expected with linezolid.
Rifampicin: The effect of rifampicin on the pharmacokinetics of linezolid was studied in sixteen healthy adult male volunteers administered linezolid 600 mg twice daily for 2.5 days with and without rifampicin 600 mg once daily for 8 days. Rifampicin decreased the linezolid C_max and AUC by a mean 21% [90% CI, 15, 27] and a mean 32% [90% CI, 27, 37], x respectively. The mechanism of this interaction and its clinical significance are unknown.
Warfarin: When warfarin was added to linezolid therapy at steady-state, there was a 10% reduction in mean maximum INR on co-administration with a 5% reduction in AUC INR.
There are insufficient data from patients who have received warfarin and linezolid to assess the clinical significance, if any, of these findings.
IV: Post marketing experience: There has been one report of a patient experiencing serotonin syndrome-like effects while taking linezolid and dextromethorphan which resolved on discontinuation of both medications.
During clinical use of linezolid with serotonergic agents, including antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), cases of serotonin syndrome have been reported. Therefore, while co-administration is contraindicated, management of patients for whom treatment with linezolid and serotonergic agents is essential.
Paediatric population: Interaction studies have only been performed in adults.

Store at temperatures not exceeding 30°C.
IV: Protect from light. Do not freeze.

Other Antibiotics

J01XX08 - linezolid ; Belongs to the class of other antibacterials. Used in the systemic treatment of infections.

Rx