What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Buspirone and linezolid
Buspirone's FDA label of December 22, 2023 names linezolid in its contraindications section, and linezolid's label names buspirone too. The buspirone label: “Starting buspirone in a patient who is being treated with reversible MAOIs such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue is also contraindicated because of an increased risk of serotonin syndrome.”
Check it at the source: the buspirone FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 22, 2023, Unichem Pharmaceuticals (USA), Inc.); the linezolid FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 19, 2026, Hospira, Inc.).
What does the buspirone label say about linezolid?
Buspirone label, contraindicationsStarting buspirone in a patient who is being treated with reversible MAOIs such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue is also contraindicated because of an increased risk of serotonin syndrome (see WARNINGS , DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION and DRUG INTERACTIONS ).
Buspirone label, warningsSerotonin Syndrome The development of a potentially life-threatening serotonin syndrome has been reported with SNRIs, SSRIs, and other serotonergic drugs, including buspirone, alone but particularly with concomitant use of other serotonergic drugs (including triptans), with drugs that impair metabolism of serotonin (in particular, MAOIs, including reversible MAOIs such as linezolid and intravenous methylene blue), or with antipsychotics or other dopamine antagonists.
Source: FDA drug label (Buspirone Hydrochloride), Unichem Pharmaceuticals (USA), Inc., effective December 22, 2023 (SPL set a6bdf140-075e-445e-a62d-633a4b97f3a8), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the linezolid label say about buspirone?
Linezolid label, warnings and precautionsCommonly used serotonergic agents include serotonin reuptake inhibitors, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, buspirone, serotonin 5-HT1 receptor agonists (triptans), and opioids, including meperidine.
Source: FDA drug label (Linezolid), Hospira, Inc., effective June 19, 2026 (SPL set c401f1a8-cc37-461b-bfef-f2e156629bf8), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Buspirone | Linezolid | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Anxiety | Bacterial infections |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.043 per tablet 15 mg tablet | $1.44 per tablet 600 mg tablet |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once