linezolid vs tedizolid
Side-by-side comparison of linezolid and tedizolid Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Linezolid is an antibiotic that fights bacteria in your body. It is used to treat different types of infections.
Tedizolid (Sivextro) is an antibiotic medicine. It fights certain bacteria that cause skin infections.
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.
Tedizolid treats acute bacterial skin infections. This includes infections like cellulitis and major skin abscesses. It works against bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus (including MRSA), Streptococcus pyogenes, and others. It is for adults and children at least 26 weeks gestational age and weighing at least 1 kg.
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.
Tedizolid belongs to a class of drugs called oxazolidinones. It stops bacteria from growing by blocking their ability to make proteins. This helps your body fight off the infection.
- • Diarrhea
- • Vomiting
- • Headache
- • Nausea
- • Anemia
- • Nausea
- • Headache
- • Diarrhea
- • Vomiting
- • Dizziness
- Off Label Use 2,427
- Thrombocytopenia 2,032
- Drug Ineffective 1,992
- Anaemia 1,601
- Drug Interaction 1,381
- Off Label Use 109
- Product Use In Unapproved Indication 88
- Thrombocytopenia 60
- Anaemia 45
- Nausea 43
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.
If you have a low white blood cell count (neutropenia), talk to your doctor. Tedizolid may not work as well. Diarrhea can happen while taking tedizolid or even months after. Tell your doctor right away if you get diarrhea.
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.
Tedizolid may harm your unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if tedizolid passes into breast milk, so talk to your doctor about breastfeeding.
How to Read This linezolid vs tedizolid Comparison
linezolid is classified in the Oxazolidinone Antibiotic drug class, while tedizolid sits within the Oxazolidinone Antibiotic class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory — but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. 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 9,433 submissions while tedizolid has 345. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. 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 tedizolid — 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.