Drug Name

Zyvox (Linezolid)

Drug Uses

This medicine is an oxazolidinone antibiotic used to treat certain serious bacterial infections that are often resistant to other antibiotics.

How Taken

Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. This medicine may be taken on an empty stomach or with food. Antibiotics work best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, take this drug at evenly spaced intervals. Continue to take 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. Inform your doctor if your condition does not improve in 10 days.

Drug Class and Mechanism

Zyvox is related to a group of drugs called MAO inhibitors.

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

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.

Warnings/Precautions

Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: high blood pressure (hypertension), blood disorders (low blood counts), chronic infection, any allergies you may have. 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. This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: apraclonidine, brimonidine, bethanidine, bupropion, buspirone, carbamazepine, dextromethorphan, entacapone, herbal products (e.g., ma huang), indoramin, meperidine, papaverine, sibutramine, SSRI antidepressants (e.g., fluoxetine, citalopram), sympathomimetics (e.g., methylphenidate, ephedrine), tolcapone, tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, doxepin), "triptans" (e.g., sumatriptan, zolmitriptan). If you are currently using any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting zyvox. Before using this medication, tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription medication you may use especially: other antibiotics, other drugs which can depress the bone marrow (e.g., cancer chemotherapy), other MAO inhibitors (e.g., furazolidone, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine). 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. Limit your tyramine intake while using this medication and for 2 days after stopping treatment. Also avoid foods or drinks with high tyramine content during use because the combination may cause a serious rise in your blood pressure. Foods high in tyramine include those that may change as a result of aging, fermentation, pickling, or smoking. The tyramine content of any protein-rich food (meats, fish and dairy products) may increase if stored for long periods or improperly refrigerated. Some foods high in tyramine include aged cheeses (0 to 15mg per ounce); fermented or air-dried meats (0.1 to 8mg per ounce); sauerkraut (8mg per 8 ounces); soy sauce (5mg per 1 teaspoon); tap beers (4mg per 12 ounces); red wines (0 to 6mg per 8 ounces). Total intake of tyramine should be less than 100mg per meal. Tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately if you notice symptoms of high blood pressure such as fast or pounding heartbeat, vomiting, sweating or headache, chest pain, sudden vision changes, one-sided weakness or slurred speech. Contact your healthcare professional (e.g., doctor, pharmacist or dietician) for more information, including recommendations for your diet. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

Possible 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 you have any of these unlikely but serious side effects: easy bruising or bleeding, severe headache, severe dizziness, vision changes, tingling or numbness of hands/feet, 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.

More Information

If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor. Do not share this medicine with others for whom it was not prescribed. Do not use this medicine for other health conditions. Keep this medicine out of the reach of children.