Pharmacy
What is linezolid and what are the benefits of taking it?
Linezolid is an antibiotic that is used to treat infections such as Staphylococcal and similar bacteria. The main benefit of being prescribed this treatment is that it can be given to you as a tablet or liquid. This means that you may not need to have an intravenous (into your vein) drip to receive your antibiotic, and you may be able to have part of your treatment at home.
How do I take linezolid and how long will I need to take it for?
You should take it twice a day every 12 hours, for example at 8am and 8pm. You can take it before, with or after food. Your doctor or clinician will decide the length of the treatment course. You should continue taking linezolid until you have finished your prescribed course.
Are there any food restrictions with linezolid?
Some foods that contain tyramine can increase your blood pressure when you are taking this medicine. You should avoid the following types of foods (note this list is not exhaustive):
Mature or aged cheese.
Aged, smoked, pickled, or cured meats, fish and poultry such as salami, liver or pickled herring.
Beer (draft).
Wine – no more than one medium (175ml) glass per day.
Bottled or canned beer, including non-alcoholic (no more than 568mL or 1 pint per day).
Minimise drinking any alcoholic spirits.
Chocolate (one 50g serving is considered safe).
Avocados or any over-ripe fruit.
Yeast extracts including Bovril, Oxo or Marmite and soups, gravies, casseroles with meat extracts.
Soy products, including soy sauce, teriyaki, tofu.
Broad beans, sauerkraut.
Sourdough bread.
Protein diet supplements.
Are there any interactions with other medications?
Your doctor or clinician will review your other medications before starting treatment.
Linezolid should not be used if you are taking, or have taken within the last two weeks, any medicines known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). For example phenelzine, isocarboxazid, selegiline, rasagiline or moclobemide. These may be used to treat depression or Parkinson’s disease.
Interaction with selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants, 5-HT1 agonists (triptans), and opiates also need to be considered. If you are taking any over-the-counter
medicines or herbal remedies, you must check that it is safe to take with linezolid.
Do I need any monitoring during treatment?
If you are prescribed linezolid for more than one week you will be asked to return to the hospital for a review and weekly blood tests. If you are taking linezolid for more than a week, and you are not having blood tests, please speak to your doctor or clinic. Your eyesight should also be checked if you take linezolid tablets for more than 28 days.
What side effects might I experience?
All medicines have side effects. Linezolid can cause:
- Reduced blood count, which may cause bleeding and bruising.
- Sore mouth and, or mouth ulcers.
- Nausea and, or diarrhoea.
- Skin rashes.
- Difficulty in sleeping (insomnia).
- Headaches.
- Dizziness.
- Changes in vision such as blurred vision, changes to sharpness or colour. If affected do not drive or operate any machinery or electrical tools.
- Serotonin syndrome (see below).
What are the symptoms of serotonin syndrome?
The main symptoms include:
- Changes to mental state such as feeling confused, agitated and/or restless.
- Physical symptoms such as sweating, diarrhoea, fever, very sensitive reflexes, fast heartbeat, twitching, being clumsy, shivering and shakes.
- Feeling sick and, at worst, seizures or fits.
Most cases are mild, may feel a bit like flu, and probably never get recognised or reported.
Similar symptoms can occur with infections, but these are not serotonin syndrome so will need medical review.
What should I do if I think I might have a bad reaction to linezolid?
If you develop a severe headache, notice any unexplained bruising and bleeding, have problems with your sight, tingling in your hands or feet, shortness of breath, severe skin rash, signs of infection or serotonin syndrome, please contact your clinic immediately, or go to your nearest accident & emergency (A&E) department. If you experience any of the other side effects listed in this leaflet, please inform your clinic when you see them.
Contact us If you have any questions or require any further information, please contact: Telephone: 01642 854830 Please ask to speak to the antimicrobial pharmacy team Email: [email protected]
hear from us, if you have not been contacted by this time please contact us on the details below.
Contact us
If you have any questions or require any further information:
Telephone: 01642 854830 Please ask to speak to the antimicrobial pharmacy team
Email: [email protected]
Patient Experience
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust would like your feedback. If you wish to share your experience about your care and treatment or on behalf of a patient, please contact The Patient Experience Department who will advise you on how best to do this.
This service is based at The James Cook University Hospital but also covers the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, our community hospitals and community health services.
To ensure we meet your communication needs please inform the patient experience department of any special requirements, for example; braille or large print by emailing: [email protected]