Antimicrobials
Linezolid

Linezolid

Low
Complete (100%)
IV: $$$ PO: $$$

General Information

  • Targeted or empiric therapy for gram positive infections including skin and soft tissue, and pneumonia
  • Covers MRSA and VRE

Monitoring CBC weekly during long-term therapy is recommended

Neonatal:

  • Current monitoring recommendations are to perform weekly CBC evaluations

Reported with duration of therapy > 10 days:

  • Thrombocytopenia
  • Anemia
  • Leucopenia
  • Pancytopenia

Neonatal: Reversible anemia and thrombocytopenia reported in children, especially those who received prolonged treatment (>14 days)

Reversible, nonselective MAO inhibitor. Check for drug interactions

Neonatal: 

  • Linezolid is a weak, reversible, non-selective monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)
  • Use cautiously and monitor blood pressure when administering together with any sympathomimetic amine (dopamine, dobutamine, epinephrine, isoproterenol, norepinephrine, phenylphrine)
  • Injection: 2 mg/mL (300mL)
  • Tablet: 600mg

Neonatal:

  • Injection: 2 mg/mL in isotonic Dextrose
  • Oral suspension: 20 mg/mL

Pediatric: bioavailability 100%

Neonatal:

  • Oral suspension: Prior to administration, gently invert bottle 5 times
  • Do not shake

Antimicrobial class: Oxazolidinone

Average serum half life:

  • Preterm neonates <1 week: 5.6 hours
  • Full-term neonates < 1 week : 3 hours
  • Full-term neonates ≥1 week to ≤ 28 days: 1.5 hours
  • Infants > 28 days to < 3 months: 1.8 hours
  • Infants and Children 3 months to 11 years: 2.9 hours
  • Adolescents: 4.1 hours
  • Adults: 4.9 hours

Route of Elimination:

  • Urine (~30% of total dose as parent drug, ~50 of total dose as inactive metabolites), two metabolites may accumulate in patients with severe renal impairment
  • Feces (9% of total dose as metabolites)