Zyvox

Zyvox is an antibiotic which kills bacteria in the body. It works by inhibiting monoamine oxidase (MAO). It is used in the treatment of skin infections, pneumonia, and infection that are resistant to other antibiotics.

It does not work against cold, flu and other viral infections. It is available in the form of tablet or powder for suspension and only with doctor’s prescription.

Before using Zyvox, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it.

Before starting the treatment your doctor should be informed about condition such as:

Allergy: Inform your doctor if you are allergic to any food, preservatives, dyes, or had an allergic reaction when you used this drug before.

Children: It does not cause any different side effects from adults.

Elderly: This medicine does not cause any different side effects or problem than it does in younger adults.

Pregnancy: It is a category C drug. It is not safe in pregnancy. It may cause harmful effects to an unborn baby.

Breast Feeding: there are no adequate studies which prove that Linezolid passes in to breast milk. If you are using Linezolid while nursing, discuss it with your doctor for possible risk factors.

Drug Interactions: Linezolid may interact with other drugs. Your doctor should be informed of any other medicines which you are taking. He may want to change the dosage or drug.

Some of them are listed below:

• Amitriptyline, Amoxapine, Amphetamine, Apraclonidine, Almotriptan, Atomoxetine, Benzphetamine, Brimonidine, Bupropion, Buspirone, Carbamazepine, Carbidopa, Carbinoxamine, Citalopram, Clomipramine, Clovoxamine, Cyclobenzaprine.
• Insulin or other diabetes medicines (Glyburide) because the risk of low blood sugar may be increased.
• Barbiturates (Phenobarbital).
• Carbamazepine.
• Hydantoins (Phenytoin).
• Rifamycins (Rifampin) because they may decrease linezolid's effectiveness.

Other Medical Problem: Several other conditions may reduce its effectiveness.

Make sure you inform your doctor of conditions such as:

• Diabetes.
• Hypertension (high blood pressure).
• Kidney problems.
• Bone marrow problems.
• Tumors like Adrenal tumor (pheochromocytoma), carcinoid tumor.
• Liver problem.
• Seizure.
• Hyperthyroidism.
• Eye or vision problem.
• Depression.
• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
• Catheter site infection.
• Phenylketonuria, oral suspension contains phenylalanine which can make this condition worse.

Proper usage of Zyvox requires strict adherence to your doctor’s orders. Ask your pharmacist if you have any queries.

Do not shake the liquid form of linezolid, but mix it gently by turning the bottle upside down for 2 to 5 times before each dose.

Take the right amount of linezolid. A teaspoon may not contain the exact amount of drug, you should measure it with the medicine cup, oral syringe or measuring spoon to get a correct amount of dose. Each dose should be evenly spaced.

You should complete the course of the drug. Even if you are feeling well, don’t stop the treatment unless it is completed, as your symptoms may reappear.

Dosage: It is different for different patients. Dosage mentioned below is an average dose.it is best to take each dose at equally spaced times a day and night. You must follow your doctor’s command.

For oral dosage forms (suspension or tablets):

Adults and children above 12 years of age: 400 or 600 milligrams (mg) every 12 hourly.

Children below age 12: 10 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight every 8 or 12 hours as determined by your doctor.

Missed dose: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember it. If it is almost a time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your daily schedule. Do not double the dose.

Storage: Store it at room temperature. Keep it away from children. Throw away any unused medicine 21 days after it has been prepared.

Before using Zyvox, there are some precautions you must take. Your doctor should check your daily progress at regular visits. If Linezolid is not improving your symptoms, or your symptoms become worse, inform your doctor right away.

Do not use this medicine if you have used any other monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) within the past 14 days. Some of them are listed below, Isocarboxazid, Phenelzine, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, or Parnate.

Linezolid is a bone marrow suppressant. It temporarily reduces your white blood cells and platelets, and so making you susceptible to infections and bleeding. While using this drug you should avoid people with the infection.

Inform your doctor immediately if you notice fever, chills, cough, lower back or side pain, bruising, bleeding, black tarry stools, blood in urine or stools.

Linezolid may cause mild or severe diarrhea, usually 2 months after the treatment or when the drug is stopped. Do not take any medicine for diarrhea without consulting your doctor.

Eating foods high in tyramine (aged cheeses, red wines, beer, certain meats and sausages, liver, sour cream, soy sauce, raisins, bananas, avocados) while you use a MAOI, it may cause severe high blood pressure.

This could occur for up to 2 weeks after you stop taking a MAOI. Do not eat foods high in tyramine while you take linezolid. Ask your health care provider for a complete list of foods you should avoid.

Lactic acidosis has occurred with the use of linezolid. Contact your doctor if you have severe or persistent nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

It can cause serious eye disease. Call you doctor if you experience blurred vision, changes in color vision or loss of vision. It can cause low blood sugar in a diabetic patient who is on insulin or takes diabetes medicine.

Symptoms of low blood sugar are fast heart beats, drowsiness, confusion, trouble seeing and headache that is not going away. Ask your doctor what you should do when his happens.

This medicine may cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome when taken with certain medicines. You should ask your doctor before taking any other medicine with linezolid.

As with many medications, there are several potential side effects associated with Zyvox. Some people may experience none or minor side effects. Consult with your doctor if they become problematic or frequent.

Most common are:

• Bad taste in mouth
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea, vomiting
• Trouble sleeping

Less common are:

• Congestion
• Convulsions
• Cough
• Decreased urine
• Difficult or labored breathing
• Ear congestion
• Headache
• Hoarseness
• Increased thirst
• Muscle pain or cramps
• Numbness or tingling in the hands, feet or lips
• Swollen glands
• Tender, swollen glands in the neck

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.