Linezolid
Introduction To Linezolid
Linezolid is an antibiotic medicine. It helps cure a wide range of serious infections caused by resistant bacteria. These may include infections affecting the skin, soft tissues, bones, brain, heart, urinary tract, lungs, and blood. It also aids in the treatment of resistant tubercular infections.
Give Linezolid to your child orally, preferably at a fixed time, either before or after meals. In case your child develops a stomach upset, prefer giving it with meals. Adhere to the dose, time, and way prescribed by the doctor as that depends on the type and severity of the infection, your child's age, and body weight. If your child vomits within 30 minutes of intake, repeat the same dose but do not double dose if it's time for the next dose.
Taking this medicine may sometimes cause minor and temporary side effects. These include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, and low blood cell count. These side effects almost always subside within a few days. However, in case these side effects persist or bother your child, it would be best to consult your child's doctor without any delay.
Your child's doctor should be aware of your child's complete medical history, including any previous episode of allergy, heart problem, liver impairment, blood disorder, eye disorder, and kidney malfunction. Do tell the doctor if your child is taking any other medicine too. This information is critical for dose alterations and for planning your child's overall treatment.
Uses of Linezolid
- Treatment of Resistant Tuberculosis (TB)
- Treatment of Severe bacterial infections
Benefits of Linezolid
Treatment of Resistant Tuberculosis (TB)
In multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis, the causative bacteria produce an
enzyme that makes the antibiotics ineffective. As a result, the bacteria
become resistant to the antibiotic being used for treatment. Linezolid is
effective in treating MDR tuberculosis and Extensively Drug-resistant
tuberculosis (XDR-TB). Linezolid is not the first medicine that the doctor
gives to treat tuberculosis. It is given only if the child suffers from
resistant-tubercular infection.
Treatment of Severe bacterial infections
Linezolid works by killing bacteria which can cause serious infections. It is
used to treat many different types of bacterial infections such as infections
of lungs (pneumonia), skin, and soft tissues. This medicine usually makes you
feel better very quickly but you should continue taking it as prescribed even
when you feel better to make sure that all bacteria are killed and do not
become resistant.
Side effects of Linezolid
Linezolid does not pose serious side effects and is well-tolerated by children. In case the side effects do occur, they’re likely to subside once the body adapts to the medicine. Consult your child’s doctor if these side effects persist or bother your child. The most common side effects include-
Common side effects of Rapidline
- Decreased blood pressure
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Nausea
- Decreased blood cells (red cells, white cells, and platelets)
- Diarrhea
How to use Linezolid
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Check
the label for directions before use. Dissolve the powder in sterile water.
Shake well and use. Linezolid may be taken with or without food, but it is
better to take it at a fixed time.
Avoid Linezolid with tyramine-rich food such as cheese, smoked fish, meats
and some types of beer.
How Linezolid works
Linezolid is an antibiotic. It stops bacterial growth by preventing the synthesis of essential proteins required by bacteria to carry out vital functions.
Quick tips
- Your child must complete the entire course of antibiotics. Stopping too soon may cause the bacteria to multiply again, become resistant, or cause another infection.
- Your child must drink plenty of water if he/she develops diarrhea as a side effect.
- Discontinue Linezolid and inform the doctor immediately if your child develops a rash, itchy skin, swelling of face and mouth, or difficulty in breathing.
- Only give Linezolid to your child for their current infection. Never save medicine for future illnesses.
Safety Advice
KidneySAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Can I take Linezolid if I have/had kidney diseases?
Linezolid is safe to use in patients with kidney disease. No dose adjustment of Linezolid is recommended. However, Linezolid must be used with caution in children with severe kidney disease. Dose modification may be required in severe kidney disease.
LiverSAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Can I take Linezolid if I have/had liver diseases?
Linezolid is safe to use in patients with liver disease. No dose adjustment of Linezolid is recommended. However, Linezolid should be used with caution in children with severe liver disease as it can be a potential threat to liver functions although not very common.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What if I give an excess of Linezolid by mistake?
Overdose may cause unwanted side effects such as low blood count, nerve damage, or loss of vision. It may even cause a life-threatening complication called lactic acidosis which shows symptoms of abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and generalized weakness. Rush to your child’s doctor on an immediate basis if you notice any of these symptoms.
Q. My child is suffering from depression and is on antidepressant therapy. Is it safe to give Linezolid along with these medicines?
No, it is not safe as it can lead to life-threatening syndrome known as serotonin syndrome which can be manifested as hypertension, increased heart rate, shaking of the body, seizures, and increased body temperature. Call your child’s doctor right away if these symptoms appear.
Q. What should I do if my child shows no improvement even after taking Linezolid for the prescribed duration?
Ineffective treatment with Linezolid could mean that the medicine is not able to act against the infection-causing bacteria. In such a case, visit your child’s doctor who may change the medicine and prescribe an antibiotic which has a stronger impact on the infection-causing bacteria. Since some of these antibiotics are given as intravenous injections, you may have to visit the doctor to give this medicine to your child.
Q. Can Linezolid be given for a long duration?
Prolonged use of Linezolid may result in fungal or bacterial superinfection, including serious gastrointestinal infections due to inhibition of good bacteria of the gut. You must reach out to the doctor soon.
Q. Can other medicines be given at the same time as Linezolid?
Linezolid can sometimes interact with other medicines or substances. Tell your doctor about any other medicines your child is taking before starting Linezolid. Also, check with your child’s doctor before giving any medicine to your child.
Q. What lab tests that are required for monitoring while my child is taking Linezolid?
For children receiving Linezolid for a longer duration, the doctor may ask for complete blood count, basic metabolic panel, liver function test, and routine eye and nerve function assessments.
Q. In which disease conditions should I avoid giving Linezolid to my child?
Avoid giving Linezolid if your child is suffering from conditions like diabetes mellitus (risk of low glucose), hypertension, hyperthyroidism, and seizure disorder. To ensure that this medicine is not given in such conditions, tell your child’s complete medical history to the doctor before giving Linezolid to your child.
Q. What food items should my child avoid while taking Linezolid?
Avoid giving tyramine-containing foods like old cheese, red meat, fava or broad bean pods, soy sauce, and other soybean condiments while your child is taking Linezolid. Always recheck the freshness of food before giving it to your child as it is an important concern.
Q. Can I get my child vaccinated while on treatment with Linezolid?
It is advised not to get your child vaccinated while they are on treatment with Linezolid. Let your child recover from the ongoing illness and finish the course of the medicine As soon as a child is feeling better, even if he or she is on antibiotics, the vaccine can and should be given.
References
Written By:
Dr Advikka Ridhy
MBBS
RMO, Aster MIMS
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