Zyvox (linezolid) is an antibiotic that fights bacteria in the body. Linezolid is also an MAO (monoamine oxidase) inhibitor.
Zyvox is used to treat different types of bacterial infections, such as pneumonia, skin infections, and infections that are resistant to other antibiotics.
Zyvox may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Important information
Do not use Zyvox if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side effects.
Many drugs can interact with Zyvox. Before using this medicine, tell your doctor about all other medications you use. You may need to stop using certain medicines before using Zyvox (in some cases for up to 5 weeks before starting treatment).
During your treatment with Zyvox, do not start or stop using any other medications unless your doctor tells you to. You should not use Zyvox if you have untreated or uncontrolled high blood pressure, a carcinoid tumor, adrenal gland tumor, or a severely overactive thyroid. If you take an antidepressant or psychiatric medication, call your doctor right away if you have signs of a serious drug interaction, including: confusion, memory problems, feeling hyperactive (mentally or physically), loss of coordination, muscle twitching, shivering, sweating, diarrhea, and/or fever.
Eating tyramine while you are using Zyvox can raise your blood pressure to dangerous levels. Avoid foods that have a high level of tyramine, such as aged cheeses or meats, pickled or fermented meats, smoked or air-dried meats, sauerkraut, soy sauce, tap beer, red wine, or any meat, cheese, or other protein-based food that has been improperly stored.
Before using Zyvox
You should not use Zyvox if you are allergic to linezolid.
Do not use Zyvox if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine.
Some medicines can interact with Zyvox and should not be used at the same time. Your doctor may need to change your treatment plan if you use any of the following drugs:
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buspirone, clozapine, cyclobenzaprine, epinephrine (Epi-Pen), meperidine, procarbazine, St. John"s wort, tramadol;
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ADHD medication--Adderall, Ritalin, and others; a diet pill or other stimulant; cold medicine that contains a decongestant; medicine that can raise blood pressure such as dobutamine, dopamine, norephinephrine;
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an antidepressant--bupropion, citalopram, fluoxetine, imipramine, milnacipran, nefazodone, paroxetine, sertraline, trazodone, venlafaxine, and others; migraine or cluster headache medications-- ("triptans") such as Amerge, Imitrex or Maxalt, Zomig and others;
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medication to treat Parkinson"s disease or restless leg syndrome; glaucoma medicine used in the eyes--apraclonidine, brimonidine.
To make sure Zyvox is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
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a history of high blood pressure;
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a thyroid disorder;
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a carcinoid tumor;
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bone marrow suppression or a weak immune system;
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kidney or liver disease;
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pheochromocytoma (adrenal gland tumor);
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diabetes;
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epilepsy or a history of seizures; or
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if you use a catheter.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Zyvox will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.
See also: Pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)
It is not known whether linezolid passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
The liquid form of Zyvox may contain phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor before using this form of linezolid if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).
How is Zyvox used?
Use Zyvox exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Injectable Zyvox is injected into a vein through an IV. You may be shown how to use an IV at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles, IV tubing, and other items used to inject the medicine.
Before taking the oral suspension (liquid), gently mix it by turning the bottle upside down 3 to 5 times. Do not shake. Measure the liquid with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
You may take Zyvox with or without food.
While using this medicine, you may need frequent blood tests. Your vision and blood pressure may also need to be checked often.
Use this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Zyvox will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
Store all forms of Zyvox at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Do not freeze. Throw away any unused oral liquid that is more than 21 days old.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid?
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, stop taking Zyvox and call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
Eating tyramine while you are using Zyvox can raise your blood pressure to dangerous levels. Avoid foods that have a high level of tyramine, such as:
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aged cheeses or meats;
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pickled or fermented meats, smoked or air-dried meats;
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sauerkraut;
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soy sauce;
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tap beer (alcoholic and nonalcoholic);
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red wine; or
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any meat, cheese, or other protein-based food that has been improperly stored.
You should become very familiar with the list of foods you must avoid while you are using Zyvox.
Zyvox side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Zyvox: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
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pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating;
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diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
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vision problems, changes in color vision;
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agitation, hallucinations, fever, fast heart rate, overactive reflexes, diarrhea, loss of coordination, fainting;
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easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin; or
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lactic acidosis--muscle pain or weakness, numbness or cold feeling in your arms and legs, nausea with vomiting, feeling very weak or tired.
Common Zyvox side effects may include:
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vaginal itching or discharge;
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constipation, mild diarrhea, mild nausea;
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mild skin rash;
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sleep problems (insomnia); or
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headache, dizziness.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also: Side effects (in more detail)
What other drugs will affect Zyvox?
During your treatment with Zyvox, do not start or stop using any other medications unless your doctor tells you to.
If you take an antidepressant or psychiatric medication, call your doctor right away if you have signs of a serious drug interaction, including: confusion, memory problems, feeling hyperactive (mentally or physically), loss of coordination, muscle twitching, shivering, sweating, diarrhea, and/or fever.
Many other drugs can interact with Zyvox, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.
