Linezolid

• The usual dose of linezolid in adults is 600mg two times a day.
• Your doctor will advise you how long to take linezolid for.
• The pharmacy label on your medicine will tell you how much to take, how often to take it and any special instructions.

• Timing of your doses: Linezolid is taken 2 times a day. Try to space the doses evenly throughout the day, eg, first thing in the morning and at bedtime. Ideally these times should be at 12 hours apart. You can take linezolid with or without food. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. Don't chew them.
• Linezolid liquid: If you've been given linezolid liquid, measure the liquid carefully with an oral syringe or measuring spoon. Gently mix the liquid by slowly turning the bottle over a few times before you use it. Don't shake the bottle.  
• Missed dose: If you forget to take your dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it's nearly time for your next dose, take the next dose at the right time. Don't take extra doses to make up for a forgotten dose. If you're not sure what to do, ask your healthcare provider. It's important to remember to take each dose on time, so set a reminder or mark your dose on a calendar so you don’t forget.
• Finish the course: Take the whole course of antibiotics for the number of days you have been told to. Don't stop taking it, even if you feel better. If you stop your treatment early, your infection could come back.

• Linezolid can react with some foods and drinks that have tyramine in them. Tyramine is in foods such as cheese, meat or yeast extracts (eg, Marmite®, Vegemite®, Oxo®), pickled fish, broad bean pods, sauerkraut, fermented soya bean products (eg, soy sauce), salami and protein drinks. Tyramine is also found in some draught beers and wine. While you are taking linezolid, avoid large amounts of any of these foods or drinks. They will cause an increase in your blood pressure and make you feel unwell.
• Linezolid can interact with many medicines, herbal supplements and rongoā Māori, so check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting any new products and let your doctor know about all of the medicines and supplements you are taking.
• It is important to tell your healthcare provider if you have diarrhoea (runny poo) during or after treatment with linezolid. Do this even if it occurs several weeks after linezolid has been stopped. Diarrhoea may be caused by a serious condition affecting your bowel and you may need urgent medical care.
• Linezolid can cause dizziness and problems with eyesight for some people, so be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine affects you.

Like all medicines, linezolid can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. If you're concerned about any symptoms you think might be related to your medicine, talk to your healthcare provider. The following information offers some guidance but doesn't include all possible side effects.

Common side effects

Tell your healthcare provider if these side effects bother you.

• Headache, change in taste, sore tummy.
• Diarrhoea (runny poo): Tell your healthcare provider if your diarrhoea is severe, contains blood or lasts more than a few days. Do this even if it occurs several weeks after linezolid has been stopped. Diarrhoea may be caused by a serious condition affecting your bowel and you may need urgent medical care. If you have a lot of diarrhoea or have been vomiting and you're taking the oral contraceptive pill, let your healthcare provider know.
• Small white patches in your mouth or a white furry tongue (oral thrush): Ask your healthcare provider for advice.
• Vaginal itching, soreness or discharge (vaginal thrush): Ask your healthcare provider for advice. 

Tell your healthcare provider immediately or phone Healthline free on 0800 611 116 if these occur

• Seizures.
• Changes in vision, such as blurred vision.
• Signs of problems with your blood cells, such as mouth ulcers, fever, chills, sore throat, or generally feeling unwell, or easy or unusual bruising or bleeding.
• Symptoms of lactic acidosis, such as drowsiness, stomach cramps, vomiting, muscle pain.

Phone 111 for an ambulance or go to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) clinic if these occur

• Signs of an allergic reaction such as itchy skin, and rash, swollen lips or tongue, problems breathing, like a tight chest or shortness of breath.
   

 Read more about medicines and side effects and reporting a reaction you think might be a side effect.