Linezolid

Thrombocytopenia has been reported more often in patients with severe renal and in patients with moderate to severe hepatic impairment. Consider discontinuation in patients who develop or have worsening myelosuppression. Peripheral and Optic Neuropathy: Reported primarily in patients treated for longer than 28 days. If patients experience symptoms of visual impairment, prompt ophthalmic evaluation is recommended.

In cases where the outcome is known, when linezolid was discontinued, the affected hematologic parameters have risen toward pretreatment levels. Thrombocytopenia has been reported more often in patients with severe renal impairment, whether or not on dialysis, and in patients with moderate to severe hepatic impairment. Complete blood counts should be monitored weekly in patients who receive linezolid, particularly in those who receive linezolid for longer than two weeks, those with pre-existing myelosuppression, those with severe renal impairment or moderate to severe hepatic impairment, those receiving concomitant drugs that produce bone marrow suppression, or those with a chronic infection who have received previous or concomitant antibacterial drug therapy.

General Dosage and Administration The recommended dosage for linezolid for the treatment of infections is described in Table 1. Table 1. Dosage Guidelines for Linezolid [See table below.] Community-acquired pneumonia, including concurrent bacteremia Complicated skin and skin structure infections Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium infections, including concurrent bacteremia 10 mg/kg intravenously or oral ‡ every 8 hours 600 mg intravenously or oral ‡ every 12 hours 14 to 28 Uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections less than 5 yrs: 10 mg/kg oral ‡ every 8 hours 5-11 yrs: 10 mg/kg oral ‡ every 12 hours Adults: 400 mg oral ‡ every 12 hours Adolescents: 600 mg oral ‡ every 12 hours 10 to 14 * Due to the designated pathogens [ see Indications and Usage ] † Neonates less than 7 days : Most pre-term neonates less than 7 days of age (gestational age less than 34 weeks) have lower systemic linezolid clearance values and larger AUC values than many full-term neonates and older infants.

These neonates should be initiated with a dosing regimen of 10 mg/kg every 12 hours. Consideration may be given to the use of 10 mg/kg every 8 hours regimen in neonates with a sub-optimal clinical response. All neonatal patients should receive 10 mg/kg every 8 hours by 7 days of life [ see Use in Specific Populations and Clinical Pharmacology ]. ‡ Oral dosing using either linezolid tablets or linezolid for oral suspension [ see How Supplied/Storage and Handling ].

No dose adjustment is necessary when switching from intravenous to oral administration.