DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: Linezolid Suspension (li-NE-zoh-lid)
Brand Name: Zyvox

Linezolid Suspension is used for:

Treating adults with certain serious bacterial infections that are often resistant to other antibiotics.

Linezolid Suspension is an oxazolidinone antibiotic. It works by interfering with the production of proteins needed by bacteria to grow.

Do NOT use Linezolid Suspension if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Linezolid Suspension
• you are currently taking an amphetamine (eg, dextroamphetamine), certain anorexiants (eg, phentermine), a catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitor (eg, entacapone), levodopa, meperidine, or a sympathomimetic (eg, albuterol, dopamine, epinephrine, pseudoephedrine)
• you have taken apraclonidine, bupropion, a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (eg, atomoxetine), a serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (eg, duloxetine), or certain anorexiants (eg, sibutramine) within the past 14 days

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Linezolid Suspension:

Some medical conditions may interact with Linezolid Suspension. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have a history of high blood pressure, kidney problems, bone marrow problems, low blood cell or platelet levels, an adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma), carcinoid syndrome, severe liver problems, or an overactive thyroid; or phenylketonuria
• if you have a prolonged infection that has been previously treated with another antibiotic medicine
• if you are taking any medicine for depression

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Linezolid Suspension. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Amphetamines (eg, dextroamphetamine), anorexiants (eg, phentermine, sibutramine), or sympathomimetics (eg, dopamine, epinephrine, pseudoephedrine) because the risk of serious side effects, including severe headache, fever, or high blood pressure, may be increased
• Bupropion, COMT inhibitors (eg, entacapone), levodopa, norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (eg, atomoxetine), serotonin reuptake inhibitors (eg, fluoxetine), or serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (eg, duloxetine) because the risk of serious side effects, including severe fever, mental or mood changes, or muscle problems, may be increased
• Apraclonidine, meperidine, or tryptophan because the risk of serious side effects or toxic effects may be increased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Linezolid Suspension may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Linezolid Suspension:

Use Linezolid Suspension as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Linezolid Suspension may be taken with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.
• Gently mix before each dose by turning the bottle upside-down 3 to 5 times. Do not shake.
• Use a measuring device marked for medicine dosing. Ask your pharmacist for help if you are unsure of how to measure your dose.
• To clear up your infection completely, continue using Linezolid Suspension for the full course of treatment even if you feel better in a few days.
• If you miss a dose of Linezolid Suspension, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Linezolid Suspension.

Important safety information:

• Linezolid Suspension may cause dizziness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Linezolid Suspension. Using Linezolid Suspension alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• It is important to use Linezolid Suspension for the full course of treatment. Failure to do so may decrease the effectiveness of Linezolid Suspension and may increase the risk that the bacteria will no longer be sensitive to Linezolid Suspension and will not be able to be treated by this or certain other antibiotics in the future.
• Long-term or repeated use of Linezolid Suspension may cause a second infection. Your doctor may want to change your medicine to treat the second infection. Contact your doctor if signs of a second infection occur.
• If severe diarrhea, stomach pain/cramps or bloody stools occur, contact your doctor immediately. This could be a symptom of a serious side effect requiring immediate medical attention. Do not treat diarrhea without consulting your doctor.
• Linezolid Suspension may cause serious increases in blood pressure if certain foods are eaten. Avoid eating foods such as aged cheeses, sour cream, red wines, beer, bologna, pepperoni, salami, summer sausage, pickled herring, liver, meat prepared with tenderizers, canned figs, raisins, bananas, avocados, soy sauce, fava beans, or yeast extracts. Obtain a complete list of foods and beverages from your doctor or pharmacist.
• Linezolid Suspension may reduce the number of clot-forming cells (platelets) in your blood. To prevent bleeding, avoid situations in which bruising or injury may occur. Report any unusual bleeding, bruising, blood in stools, or dark, tarry stools to your doctor.
• Linezolid Suspension is effective only against bacteria. It is not effective for treating viral infections (eg, the common cold).
• Phenylketonuria patients - Linezolid Suspension contains phenylalanine.
• LAB TESTS, including blood cell counts, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Caution is advised when using Linezolid Suspension in CHILDREN because they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits of using Linezolid Suspension during pregnancy. It is unknown if Linezolid Suspension is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Linezolid Suspension, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Linezolid Suspension:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Bad taste in mouth; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; headache; nausea; tongue discoloration; trouble sleeping; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); agitation; bloody stools; bloody vomit; chills; confusion; exaggerated reflexes; excitation; fast heartbeat; loss of coordination; mental or mood changes; muscle spasms; prolonged or repeated nausea or vomiting; seizures; severe or continuing diarrhea; sore throat or fever; stomach pain/cramps; sweating; swelling of the hands or feet; tingling or numbness of hands or feet; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual tiredness or weakness; vaginal irritation or unusual discharge; vision changes; white patches in the mouth.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of Linezolid Suspension:

Store Linezolid Suspension at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep bottle tightly closed. Discard any unused medicine 21 days after mixing. Keep Linezolid Suspension out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Linezolid Suspension, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Linezolid Suspension is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Linezolid Suspension. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.