linezolid
Brand names: Zyvox
Linezolid is an antibiotic that fights bacteria in your body. It is used to treat different types of infections.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Generic Price
$1.95/unit
Generic Available
Yes (16 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Linezolid treats pneumonia, skin infections, and infections caused by certain drug-resistant bacteria.
Common side effects
Diarrhea, Vomiting, Headache
Key warnings
Linezolid can cause several serious side effects.
How It Works
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.
How to Take It
Take linezolid as your doctor tells you. The dose depends on the type of infection you have. For most infections, adults take 600 mg every 12 hours, either by IV or by mouth. Children's doses are based on weight and given every 8 or 12 hours.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
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.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
Storage
Store linezolid oral suspension at room temperature, away from light and moisture.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 14,782 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 28,005 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2004–2025.
Total Reports
28,005
Death-Related Reports
5,204
Hospitalization Reports
11,593
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | OFF LABEL USE | 2,427 |
| 2 | THROMBOCYTOPENIA | 2,032 |
| 3 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 1,993 |
| 4 | ANAEMIA | 1,601 |
| 5 | DRUG INTERACTION | 1,381 |
| 6 | NAUSEA | 1,301 |
| 7 | VOMITING | 1,063 |
| 8 | DIARRHOEA | 1,003 |
| 9 | PLATELET COUNT DECREASED | 1,001 |
| 10 | PYREXIA | 981 |
| 11 | LACTIC ACIDOSIS | 938 |
| 12 | NEUROPATHY PERIPHERAL | 901 |
| 13 | SEROTONIN SYNDROME | 874 |
| 14 | ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY | 867 |
| 15 | PANCYTOPENIA | 853 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
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.
Known Drug Interactions
Intervention Citalopram 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 (5.3) ] .
Mechanism: Linezolid acts like a special type of medicine called an MAO inhibitor, which can cause a dangerous buildup of a brain chemical called serotonin when mixed with citalopram.
What to do: You should not take these two medicines together.
Intervention: Escitalopram is contraindicated in patients taking MAOIs, including MAOIs such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue [ see Dosage and Administration (2.7) , Contraindications (4) , and Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Pimozide Clinical Impact: Concomitant use of racemic citalopram with pimozide increases plasma concentrations of pimozide, a drug with a narrow therapeutic index, and may increase the risk of QT prolongation and/or ventricular arrhythmias compared to use of racemic citalopram alone [ see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ].
Mechanism: Linezolid acts as a special type of medicine that stops the body from clearing serotonin, which can cause a dangerous reaction when mixed with escitalopram.
What to do: This combination is not allowed and should be avoided to prevent serious health problems.
Intervention Mirtazapine is contraindicated in patients taking MAOIs, including MAOIs such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue [see Dosage and Administration (2.4) , Contraindications (4) , Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ]. Examples selegiline, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, linezolid, methylene blue Other Serotonergic Drugs Clinical Impact The concomitant use of serotonergic drugs with mirtazapine increases the risk of serotonin syndrome.
Mechanism: Linezolid blocks the breakdown of a brain chemical called serotonin, and adding mirtazapine can cause levels to become dangerously high.
What to do: Do not take these two medications at the same time because the combination is considered unsafe and can cause a life-threatening reaction.
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.
Mechanism: 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.
What to do: This combination is not allowed and must be avoided. If you need to take linezolid, your doctor will have you stop taking paroxetine first.
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors: Monitor patients for serotonin syndrome ( 7.3 ) Sympathomimetic Medications: Monitor patients for hypertension ( 7.5 ) Tyramine: Risk of severe hypertension ( 7.6 ) 7.1 MAO Inhibitors (MAOIs) XADAGO is contraindicated for use with other drugs in the MAOIs class or other drugs that are potent inhibitors of monoamine oxidase (e.g., linezolid, an oxazolidinone antibacterial, which also has reversible nonselective MAO inhibition activity).
Mechanism: Both drugs stop the body from breaking down certain chemicals, which can lead to a toxic buildup in your system.
What to do: This combination is not allowed and should be avoided.
Common Questions
Can I take linezolid if I am allergic to it?
Can I take linezolid with antidepressants?
How long can I take linezolid?
Will linezolid affect my blood counts?
Can linezolid cause nerve damage?
Does linezolid interact with food?
What should I do if I get diarrhea while taking linezolid?
Can linezolid affect my blood pressure?
Is linezolid safe for people with kidney problems?
Can linezolid cause low blood sugar?
What are the common side effects of linezolid?
Does linezolid interact with other medications?
What drug class is linezolid?
Is linezolid safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in Oxazolidinone Antibiotic
Other drugs grouped near linezolid — same-class peers and common alternatives.
amikacin
Amikin
Amikacin is an antibiotic medicine.
Compare with linezolid →
amoxicillin
Amoxil
Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium is a combination medicine used to fight bacterial infections.
Compare with linezolid →
amoxicillin/clavulanate
Augmentin
Augmentin is a combination of two medicines, amoxicillin and clavulanate.
Compare with linezolid →
ampicillin/sulbactam
Unasyn
Unasyn is a combination of two antibiotics that fights bacteria in your body.
Compare with linezolid →
azithromycin
Zithromax, Z-Pack
Azithromycin is an antibiotic that fights bacteria.
Compare with linezolid →
Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
How CYP450 enzymes, inhibitors, and inducers affect your medications
Generic vs Brand Name Drugs
FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters
Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
Why some drugs demand precise dosing and monitoring
Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
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What the FDA Data Shows for linezolid
The FDA label for linezolid (sold under brand names such as Zyvox) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Oxazolidinone Antibiotic class. Linezolid treats pneumonia, skin infections, and infections caused by certain drug-resistant bacteria. Official labeling lists 5 commonly reported side effects, including Diarrhea, Vomiting, Headache.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 14,782 voluntary reports. The database also lists 29 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated major severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $1.95.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: January 30, 2025
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages