Linezolid

MEDICATION TYPE

Antibiotic

INDICATIONS

Treatment of Mycobacterium abscessus infections, MRSA, MSSA.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Clarithromycin
Increases linezolid serum levels with risk of toxicity (consider drug level monitoring).

Antidepressants
Increased risk of hypertension and excitation. See SPC for individual antidepressants for specific recommendations.

Dopaminergics
Risk of hypertensive crisis.

Opiod Analegesics inc. Pethidine
CNS excitation or depression ( hyper or hypotension), avoid concomitant use and for two weeks after stopping MAOI.

Sibutramine
Increased CNS toxicity.

St Johns Wort
Risk of hypertensive crisis.

Sympathomemetics inc. Pseudoephadine
Risk of hypertensive crisis.

Tyramine rich foods
Hypertensive crisis when given with foods having a high tyramine content i.e mature cheese, yeast extracts, undistllled alcoholic beverages and fermented soya bean products (soya sauce).

NOTES

Limit to ≤28 days where possible. Weekly FBC. Avoid tyramine-rich foods/MAOIs.