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What bacteria does linezolid treat?
Linezolid is active against most Gram-positive bacteria that cause disease, including streptococci, vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
What is the action of linezolid?
Linezolid is a synthetic antibiotic belonging to a new class of antimicrobials called the oxazolidinones. Linezolid disrupts bacterial growth by inhibiting the initiation process of protein synthesis—a mechanism of action that is unique to this class of drugs.
Is linezolid active against MRSA?
Linezolid, a member of the new oxazolidone class of antibiotics, is highly active in vitro against MRSA and has excellent oral bioavailability. Cumulative data indicate that linezolid and vancomycin have similar clinical efficacy against MRSA infections.
Is linezolid stronger than vancomycin?
For those infections due to MRSA, linezolid was significantly more effective than vancomycin in clinical (RR 1.09, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.17) and microbiological cure rates (RR 1.17, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.32).
Why is vancomycin preferred over linezolid?
Vancomycin has been the standard of care for nosocomial MRSA pneumonia infections, but several recent studies have suggested that linezolid may be superior to vancomycin in treating these infections4–7, which could be due to suboptimal penetration of vancomycin into the lungs at therapeutic doses.
What kind of infections can linezolid be used for?
Linezolid is used to treat infections such as nosocomial pneumonia and complicated skin and skin structure infections, including cases caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
What are the side effects of linezolid for enterococci?
Linezolid (LZD) is an antimicrobial that is commonly used for treatment of vancomycin-resistant Enterococci and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections. However, the development of thrombocytopenia, one of the most frequent adverse side effects of this antimicrobial, can lead to discontinuation of LZD treatment.
When to stop linezolid in a non-emergency situation?
In non-emergency situations when non-urgent treatment with linezolid is contemplated and planned, the serotonergic psychiatric medication should be stopped, to allow its activity in the brain to dissipate. Most serotonergic psychiatric drugs should be stopped at least 2 weeks in advance of linezolid treatment.
How is linezolid related to monoamine oxidase A?
Although the exact mechanism of this drug interaction is unknown, linezolid inhibits the action of monoamine oxidase A—an enzyme responsible for breaking down serotonin in the brain.