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linezolid vs paroxetine

Side-by-side comparison of linezolid and paroxetine. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

major Known Drug Interaction

Intervention Paroxetine is contraindicated in patients taking MAOIs, including MAOIs such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.5 ), Contraindications ( 4 ), Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] . Examples selegiline, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, linezolid, methylene blue Pimozide and Thioridazine Clinical Impact Increased plasma concentrations of pimozide and thioridazine, drugs with a narrow therapeutic index, may increase the risk of QTc prolongation and ventricular arrhythmias.

Recommendation: This combination is not allowed and must be avoided. If you need to take linezolid, your doctor will have you stop taking paroxetine first.

Drug Class
linezolid Oxazolidinone Antibiotic
paroxetine Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI)
Type
linezolid Prescription
paroxetine Prescription
Summary
linezolid

Linezolid is an antibiotic that fights bacteria in your body. It is used to treat different types of infections.

paroxetine

Paroxetine (Paxil) is a medicine that can help treat depression and anxiety disorders. It belongs to a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

What It Treats
linezolid

Linezolid treats pneumonia, skin infections, and infections caused by certain drug-resistant bacteria. It can treat pneumonia that you get in the hospital or in the community. It also treats complicated and uncomplicated skin infections, including diabetic foot infections. Linezolid can also treat infections caused by vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium.

paroxetine

Paroxetine is used to treat several conditions in adults. These include major depressive disorder (MDD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder (PD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It helps to improve mood and reduce anxiety and panic feelings.

How It Works
linezolid

Linezolid works by stopping the growth of bacteria. It blocks bacteria from making proteins that they need to live and multiply. This helps your body fight off the infection.

paroxetine

Paroxetine works by increasing the amount of serotonin in your brain. Serotonin is a natural substance that helps regulate mood. By increasing serotonin levels, paroxetine can help improve symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Common Side Effects
linezolid
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Anemia
paroxetine
  • Abnormal ejaculation
  • Weakness or fatigue
  • Constipation
  • Decreased appetite
  • Diarrhea
FAERS Reports
linezolid
  • Thrombocytopenia 2,032
  • Anaemia 1,601
  • Drug Interaction 1,381
  • Nausea 1,301
  • Vomiting 1,063
paroxetine
  • Reaction with another medicine 1,825
  • Tiredness 1,821
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 1,738
  • Harmful effect from different substances 1,579
  • Worry or nervousness 1,476
Serious Warnings
linezolid

Linezolid can cause several serious side effects. It can lower your blood cell counts, so your doctor will monitor your blood. It can also cause nerve problems, especially if you take it for more than 28 days. Tell your doctor right away if you have vision changes, numbness, or tingling. Linezolid can also interact with certain antidepressants and cause a dangerous condition called serotonin syndrome. Diarrhea can also occur.

paroxetine

Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in young adults. Your doctor will monitor you closely for worsening depression or suicidal thoughts. Paroxetine is not approved for use in children.

Pregnancy
linezolid

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if linezolid will harm your unborn baby. It can pass into breast milk, so talk to your doctor about breastfeeding.

paroxetine

Paroxetine may cause harm to your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Taking paroxetine later in pregnancy may cause problems for the newborn.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

How to Read This linezolid vs paroxetine Comparison

linezolid is classified in the Oxazolidinone Antibiotic drug class, while paroxetine sits within the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, linezolid has 7,378 submissions while paroxetine has 8,439. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known major interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to linezolid acts like a specific brain chemical blocker that, when mixed with paroxetine, can cause a dangerous reaction in the nervous system. this can lead to serious side effects that affect your whole body.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between linezolid and paroxetine - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.

Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.