Lizomed

Description

Do NOT take Lizomed if you have:

• Known hypersensitivity to Linezolid or any other components of the product.
• Are currently taking or have taken within the last two weeks any monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (MAOIs), such as phenelzine or isocarboxazid.
• Uncontrolled hypertension.
• Pheochromocytoma (a rare tumor of the adrenal gland).
• Thyrotoxicosis (overactive thyroid).
• Carcinoid syndrome.
• Are taking directly or indirectly acting sympathomimetic agents (e.g., pseudoephedrine), vasopressive agents (e.g., epinephrine, norepinephrine), dopaminergic agents (e.g., dopamine, dobutamine), serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), serotonin 5-HT1 receptor agonists (triptans), meperidine, or buspirone.

Precautions:

• Pre-existing myelosuppression (reduced bone marrow activity).
• Renal impairment (CrCl < 30 ml/min).
• Uncontrolled hypertension, pheochromocytoma, carcinoid syndrome, untreated hyperthyroidism, chronic infection.
• History of seizures, bipolar depression, schizophrenia, or acute confusional states.
• Pregnancy and Lactation: Not recommended during pregnancy. Use with caution during lactation as it is unknown if the drug is excreted in breast milk.
• Monitoring: Complete blood counts should be monitored weekly during treatment.

Drug Interactions:

Always inform your doctor about all medications you are taking, especially:

• Rifampicin and Phenytoin: May reduce serum levels of linezolid.
• Insulin or Oral Antidiabetics: May cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
• Tramadol: May increase the risk of seizures.
• Potentially Fatal Interactions:
  • MAOIs, TCAs, SNRIs, or other serotonergic drugs (e.g., bupropion, vilazodone, mirtazapine, amoxapine, buspirone, maprotiline, meperidine, trazodone, nefazodone): Increased risk of serotonin syndrome.
  • Vasopressive agents (e.g., epinephrine, norepinephrine), sympathomimetic agents (e.g., pseudoephedrine), and dopaminergic agents (e.g., dopamine, dobutamine): Significant increase in blood pressure.

Possible Side Effects

Linezolid can cause various side effects. While not everyone experiences them, some possible effects include:

• Very Common (>10%):
  • Pediatrics: Diarrhea (7.8-10.8%).
• Common (1-10%):
  • Headache (5.7-8.8%), Diarrhea (8.2-8.3%), Nausea (5.1-6.6%), Vomiting (2-4.3%), Dizziness (1.8-2.6%), Rash (1.1-2.3%), Vaginal moniliasis (1.1-1.8%), Taste alteration (1-1.8%), Oral moniliasis (0.5-1.7%), Abnormal LFTs (liver function tests, 0.4-1.6%), Fungal infection (0.3-1.5%), Localized abdominal pain (1.2-1.3%), Tongue discoloration (0.3-1.3%), Generalized abdominal pain (0.9-1.2%).
  • Pediatrics: Vomiting (2.9-9.4%), Headache (0.9-6.5%), Anemia (5.6%), Thrombocytopenia (4.7%), Nausea (1.9-3.7%), Generalized abdominal pain (0.9-2.4%), Localized abdominal pain (0.5-2.4%), Loose stools (1.6-2.3%), Eosinophilia (0.4-1.9%), Pruritus (other than application site, 0.8-1.4%), Vertigo (1.2%).
• Less Common (<1%): Lactic acidosis, Myelosuppression, Peripheral neuropathy, Disorder of optic nerve, Serotonin syndrome.
• Potentially Fatal: Reversible myelosuppression including anemia, leukopenia, pancytopenia, and thrombocytopenia (particularly with use exceeding 10-14 days), transient ischemic attacks, renal failure, Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

How does Lizomed work?

Linezolid is a bacteriostatic oxazolidinone antibiotic. It works by inhibiting bacterial ribosomal protein synthesis, which is essential for bacterial growth. It is active against Gram-positive bacteria, including vancomycin-resistant enterococci and MRSA. It has limited in vitro activity against Gram-negative bacteria.