Skip to main content

What the FDA labels say about taking them together

Linezolid and remifentanil

Remifentanil's FDA label of December 15, 2025 names linezolid in its drug interactions section; linezolid's label does not name remifentanil itself but warns about its class (Opioids (opioid agonists)). The remifentanil label: “The concomitant use of opioids with other drugs that affect the serotonergic neurotransmitter system has resulted in serotonin syndrome.”

Check it at the source: the linezolid FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 19, 2026, Hospira, Inc.); the remifentanil FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 15, 2025, Mylan Institutional LLC).

What does the linezolid label say about remifentanil?

Linezolid's label does not name remifentanil itself; it warns about its class (Opioids (opioid agonists)):

Linezolid label, warnings and precautions

Spontaneous reports of serotonin syndrome including fatal cases associated with the concomitant use of linezolid and serotonergic agents have been reported. Commonly used serotonergic agents include serotonin reuptake inhibitors, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, buspirone, serotonin 5-HT1 receptor agonists (triptans), and opioids, including meperidine.

Linezolid label, warnings and precautions

Spontaneous reports of serotonin syndrome including fatal cases associated with the concomitant use of ZYVOX and serotonergic agents have been reported. Commonly 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

What does the remifentanil label say about linezolid?

Remifentanil label, drug interactions

Serotonergic Drugs Clinical Impact: The concomitant use of opioids with other drugs that affect the serotonergic neurotransmitter system has resulted in serotonin syndrome. … monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (those intended to treat psychiatric disorders and also others, such as linezolid and intravenous methylene blue).

Remifentanil label, warnings and precautions

Serotonergic drugs include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), triptans, 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, drugs that affect the serotonergic neurotransmitter system (e.g., mirtazapine, trazodone, tramadol), certain muscle relaxants (i.e., cyclobenzaprine, metaxalone), and drugs that impair metabolism of serotonin (including MAO inhibitors, both those intended to treat psychiatric disorders and also others, such as linezolid and intravenous methylene blue) [see Drug Interactions (7) ].

Source: FDA drug label (Ultiva), Mylan Institutional LLC, effective December 15, 2025 (SPL set 4dbcb8f9-1987-4b66-bd2f-d251fda0be10), 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

24Linezolid generic labelers
2Remifentanil generic labelers
LinezolidRemifentanil
Labeled forBacterial infectionsn/a
Boxed warningNoYes
Pharmacy cost (NADAC)$1.44 per tablet 600 mg tabletn/a
Shortage nowNo current entryIn shortage

Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)

What next?