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What does it do?

Linezolid is used to treat bacterial infections.

Before you start

  • Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems, have ever had a seizure, or if you have depression.
  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

How is it given?

Linezolid is given as an infusion into a vein.

Can you take other medicines?

Some medicines available without a prescription may react with linezolid including:

  • some migraine medicines, such as sumatriptan (e.g. Sumagran Active®)
  • cold and flu medicines containing phenylephrine (e.g. Sudafed PE®)

Tell your pharmacist or doctor about all medicines or treatments that you may be taking, including vitamins, herbal products (e.g. St John's wort) or recreational drugs.

What side effects might you notice?

Side EffectsRecommended action

Reduced number of blood cells that fight infections or help your blood to clot - symptoms include: fever, chills, sore throat or generally feeling unwell, or easy or unusual bruising or bleeding

Seizures

Changes in vision

Symptoms of a very rare but serious problem called lactic acidosis including: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness, muscle pain, fast breathing

Tell your doctor immediately

Numbness or tingling of the fingers or toes

Severe or persistent diarrhoea, abdominal pain

Tell your doctor

Diarrhoea, stomach upset

Headache

Changes in taste

Tell your doctor if troublesome

If you notice any other effects, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.

Other information:

  • Some people who take linezolid may be very sensitive to tyramine which is present in some foods and alcohol (e.g. cheese, meat or yeast extracts (e.g. Marmite®, Vegemite®, Oxo®), pickled fish, broad bean pods, sauerkraut, salami and protein drinks). People taking high doses of linezolid may need to avoid large amounts of these. Discuss with your health professional.
  • Linezolid can cause a serious condition called serotonin toxicity when used with some other medicines. Stop taking linezolid and tell your doctor immediately if you are feeling confused, have muscle twitching or shaking you can’t control, heavy sweating, or a fever.
  • You will need regular blood tests while taking linezolid to monitor its effects on your blood.

This leaflet contains important, but not all, information about this medicine.

Prepared by the MyMedicines Committee at Christchurch Hospital, Te Whatu Ora - Waitaha, New Zealand. January 2024

For more general information about this sheet and its contents, see: What does a My Medicines sheet cover?

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About My Medicines

My Medicines Patient Information Leaflets (PILs) contain important, but not all, information about the medicines they describe.

For more information about the sheets, see: What does a My Medicines sheet cover?

My Medicines is developed by a team at Te Whatu Ora – Waitaha. Our team is made up of doctors, pharmacists, and a non-medical person to help us keep to plain language. We also discuss our information with specialist health professionals or groups when needed