LINEZOLID - INJECTION (lin-AZE-oh-lid)

COMMON BRAND NAME(S):
Zyvox

USES:
Linezolid is an antibiotic used to treat certain serious bacterial infections often resistant to other antibiotics.

HOW TO USE THIS MEDICATION:
Inject the entire amount of each medication bag (one dose) into a vein (IV) over 30 minutes to 2 hours. Doses are usually repeated every 12 hours or as directed by your doctor. Squeeze IV bags to check for leaks. Do not use leaky IV bags. Linezolid is related to a group of drugs called MAO inhibitors. Certain foods interact with MAO inhibitors causing severe headache and increased blood pressure. This could lead to a medical emergency. See DRUG INTERACTIONS section. Continue to use this medication until the full-prescribed amount is finished even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping the medication too early may allow bacteria to continue to grow, which may result in a relapse of the infection. Antibiotics work best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, use this drug at evenly spaced intervals. Learn how to store and discard needles and medical supplies safely. Inform your doctor if your condition does not improve in 10 days.

SIDE EFFECTS:
Diarrhea, headache, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, trouble sleeping, or rash may occur. If these persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these serious side effects occur:
pain/itching/redness or swelling at the injection site. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur:
easy bruising or bleeding, severe headache, severe dizziness, blurred vision, fever, persistent sore throat, unusual fatigue. Use of this medication for prolonged or repeated periods may result in a secondary infection (e.g., oral or vaginal fungal infection). Contact your doctor if you notice white patches in your mouth, a change in vaginal discharge or other new symptoms. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

PRECAUTIONS:
Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of:
high blood pressure (hypertension), blood disorders (low blood counts), chronic infection, any allergies. Tell your doctor if you have had diarrhea and stomach pain while taking other antibiotics. This may be a symptom of a different infection (pseudomembranous colitis) that requires another medication. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Because of the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

DRUG INTERACTIONS:
Tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription medication you may use, especially:
any antidepressants (e.g., fluoxetine, sertraline, amitriptyline, venlafaxine), other antibiotics, other drugs which depress the bone marrow (e.g., cancer chemotherapy). Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products, diet aids) because they may contain ingredients that could increase your heart rate or blood pressure. Avoid these products while taking this medication. Ask your pharmacist for additional information. The following are among the foods and beverages to be avoided while you are taking this medication and for 2 weeks after you stop:
Meat or Fish - pickled herring/liver/dry sausage/salami/meats prepared with tenderizer; Dairy - yogurt/sour cream/aged cheeses (cream or cottage cheese are okay); Beverages - beer/red wine/sherry - Avoid excessive amount of caffeine-containing colas/coffee/tea; Fruits and Vegetables - avocado/bananas/figs/raisins/broad beans/sauerkraut; Other - yeast extract/soy sauce/large amounts of chocolate. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

OVERDOSE:
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.

NOTES:
This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it later for another infection unless told to do so by your doctor. A different medication may be necessary in those cases. Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., CBC, platelets) may be performed to monitor your progress. Do not share this medication with others.

MISSED DOSE:
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

STORAGE:
Keep each medication bag in the overwrap until ready to use. Store at controlled room temperature (77 degree F or 25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 to 30 degrees C) is permitted. Protect from freezing. This medication may have a yellow color. This color may vary slightly. It is harmless and does not affect the medication.

Drugs & Medications

CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.

The drug reference included in this section is provided by Cerner Multum, Inc., of Denver, Colorado. Armenian Medical Network receives monthly updates from Multum.