Generic name: Linezolid Suspension [ li-NE-zoh-lid ]
Brand name: Zyvox
Drug class: Oxazolidinone antibiotics

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 8, 2024.

Uses of Linezolid Suspension:

• It is used to treat bacterial infections.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Linezolid Suspension?

• If you have an allergy to linezolid or any other part of linezolid suspension.
• If you are allergic to linezolid suspension; any part of linezolid suspension; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have an adrenal gland tumor called pheochromocytoma.
• If you have overactive thyroid disease.
• If you have high blood pressure.
• If you have taken certain drugs for depression or Parkinson's disease in the last 14 days. This includes isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, selegiline, or rasagiline. Very high blood pressure may happen.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with linezolid suspension.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take linezolid suspension with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Linezolid Suspension?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take linezolid suspension. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Low blood cell counts have happened with linezolid suspension. If blood cell counts get very low, this can lead to bleeding problems, infections, or anemia. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection like fever, chills, or sore throat; any unexplained bruising or bleeding; or if you feel very tired or weak.
• Do not use longer than you have been told. A second infection may happen.
• High blood pressure has happened with linezolid suspension. Have your blood pressure checked as you have been told by your doctor.
• Talk with your doctor before using OTC products that may raise blood pressure. These include cough or cold drugs, diet pills, stimulants, ibuprofen or like products, and some natural products or aids.
• Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• Very bad eye problems have happened with linezolid suspension, mainly in people taking linezolid suspension for longer than 28 days. Some people who took this drug for longer than 28 days had loss of eyesight. Have your eyesight checked as you were told by your doctor. Talk with your doctor.
• If you have high blood sugar (diabetes), talk with your doctor. This medicine may lower blood sugar. High blood sugar drugs may need to be changed.
• Check your blood sugar as you have been told by your doctor.
• If you have phenylketonuria (PKU), talk with your doctor. Some products have phenylalanine.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using linezolid suspension while you are pregnant.
• Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.

How is this medicine (Linezolid Suspension) best taken?

Use linezolid suspension as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Some foods and drinks, like cheese and red wine, may cause sudden, severe high blood pressure when you are taking linezolid suspension. This effect can be deadly. Talk with your doctor about your risk for this effect. Get a list of foods and drinks to avoid. Avoid these foods and drinks for as long as your doctor has told you after linezolid suspension is stopped.
• Keep taking linezolid suspension as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.
• Take with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.
• Gently mix by turning over 3 to 5 times before use. Do not shake.
• Measure liquid doses carefully. Use the measuring device that comes with linezolid suspension. If there is none, ask the pharmacist for a device to measure linezolid suspension.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

Related/similar drugs

amoxicillin, doxycycline, ciprofloxacin, cephalexin, azithromycin, metronidazole, ceftriaxone, clindamycin, levofloxacin, vancomycin

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of too much lactic acid in the blood (lactic acidosis) like fast breathing, fast heartbeat, a heartbeat that does not feel normal, very bad upset stomach or throwing up, feeling very sleepy, shortness of breath, feeling very tired or weak, very bad dizziness, feeling cold, or muscle pain or cramps.
• Signs of high blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
• Signs of low blood sugar like dizziness, headache, feeling sleepy, feeling weak, shaking, a fast heartbeat, confusion, hunger, or sweating.
• A burning, numbness, or tingling feeling that is not normal.
• Change in eyesight.
• Seizures.
• Diarrhea is common with antibiotics. Rarely, a severe form called C diff–associated diarrhea (CDAD) may happen. Sometimes, this has led to a deadly bowel problem (colitis). CDAD may happen during or a few months after taking antibiotics. Call your doctor right away if you have stomach pain, cramps, or very loose, watery, or bloody stools. Check with your doctor before treating diarrhea.
• A severe and sometimes deadly problem called serotonin syndrome may happen if you take linezolid suspension with certain other drugs. Call your doctor right away if you have agitation; change in balance; confusion; hallucinations; fever; fast or abnormal heartbeat; flushing; muscle twitching or stiffness; seizures; shivering or shaking; sweating a lot; severe diarrhea, upset stomach, or throwing up; or severe headache.

What are some other side effects of Linezolid Suspension?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Headache.
• Upset stomach or throwing up.
• Diarrhea.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Linezolid Suspension?

• Store at room temperature.
• Protect from light.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Keep lid tightly closed.
• Throw away any part not used 3 weeks after linezolid suspension was mixed.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about linezolid suspension, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer