• Myelosuppression: Monitor complete blood counts weekly. Thrombocytopenia has been reported more often in patients with severe renal and in patients with moderate to severe hepatic impairment. Consider discontinuation in patients who develop or have worsening myelosuppression. • Peripheral and Optic Neuropathy: Reported primarily in patients treated for longer than 28 days. If patients experience symptoms of visual impairment, prompt ophthalmic evaluation is recommended. • Serotonin Syndrome: Monitor patients taking ZYVOX concomitantly with serotonergic agents for signs of serotonin syndrome. If signs or symptoms of serotonin syndrome occur, consider discontinuing ZYVOX and/or concomitant serotonergic agents. • A mortality imbalance was seen in an investigational study in linezolid-treated patients with catheter-related bloodstream infections. • Clostridioides difficile -Associated Diarrhea: Evaluate if diarrhea occurs. • Potential interactions producing elevation of blood pressure: monitor blood pressure. • Rhabdomyolysis: If signs or symptoms of rhabdomyolysis are observed, discontinue ZYVOX and initiate appropriate therapy. • Hypoglycemia: Postmarketing cases of symptomatic hypoglycemia have been reported in patients with diabetes mellitus receiving insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents. • Hyponatremia and/or Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion (SIADH): Monitor serum sodium levels regularly in patients at risk of hyponatremia and/or SIADH. 5.1 Myelosuppression Myelosuppression (including anemia, leukopenia, pancytopenia, and thrombocytopenia) has been reported in patients receiving linezolid. In cases where the outcome is known, when linezolid was discontinued, the affected hematologic parameters have risen toward pretreatment levels. Thrombocytopenia has been reported more often in patients with severe renal impairment, whether or not on dialysis, and in patients with moderate to severe hepatic impairment. Complete blood counts should be monitored weekly in patients who receive linezolid, particularly in those who receive linezolid for longer than two weeks, those with pre-existing myelosuppression, those with severe renal impairment or moderate to severe hepatic impairment, those receiving concomitant drugs that produce bone marrow suppression, or those with a chronic infection who have received previous or concomitant antibacterial drug therapy. Discontinuation of therapy with linezolid should be considered in patients who develop or have worsening myelosuppression [ see Adverse Reactions ]
Peripheral and Optic Neuropathy Peripheral and optic neuropathies have been reported in patients treated with ZYVOX, primarily in those patients treated for longer than the maximum recommended duration of 28 days. In cases of optic neuropathy that progressed to loss of vision, patients were treated for extended periods beyond the maximum recommended duration. Visual blurring has been reported in some patients treated with ZYVOX for less than 28 days. Peripheral and optic neuropathy has also been reported in children. If patients experience symptoms of visual impairment, such as changes in visual acuity, changes in color vision, blurred vision, or visual field defect, prompt ophthalmic evaluation is recommended. Visual function should be monitored in all patients taking ZYVOX for extended periods (≥ 3 months) and in all patients reporting new visual symptoms regardless of length of therapy with ZYVOX. If peripheral or optic neuropathy occurs, the continued use of ZYVOX in these patients should be weighed against the potential risks
Serotonin Syndrome 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. Symptoms associated with serotonin syndrome may include hyperthermia, diaphoresis, agitation, hyperreflexia, clonus, pyrexia, opsoclonus, muscle rigidity, tremor, and hypertonia . Monitor patients for the emergence of serotonin syndrome with the concomitant use of ZYVOX and serotonergic agents or with use of ZYVOX in patients with carcinoid syndrome. If signs or symptoms of serotonin syndrome occur, consider discontinuing ZYVOX and/or concomitant serotonergic agents as clinically appropriate and initiate supportive treatment. Inform patients of the increased risk of serotonin syndrome when ZYVOX is used concomitantly with serotonergic agents. 5.4 Mortality Imbalance in an Investigational Study in Patients with Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections, Including Those with Catheter-Site Infections An imbalance in mortality was seen in patients treated with linezolid relative to vancomycin/dicloxacillin/oxacillin in an open-label study in seriously ill patients with intravascular catheter-related infections [78/363 (21.5%) vs. 58/363 (16.0%); odds ratio 1.426, 95% CI 0.970, 2.098]. While causality has not been established, this observed imbalance occurred primarily in linezolid-treated patients in whom either Gram-negative pathogens, mixed Gram-negative and Gram-positive pathogens, or no pathogen were identified at baseline, but was not seen in patients with Gram-positive infections only. Linezolid is not approved and should not be used for the treatment of patients with catheter-related bloodstream infections or catheter-site infections. Linezolid has no clinical activity against Gram-negative pathogens and is not indicated for the treatment of Gram-negative infections. It is critical that specific Gram-negative therapy be initiated immediately if a concomitant Gram-negative pathogen is documented or suspected [ see Indications and Usage ]
Clostridioides difficile -Associated Diarrhea Clostridioides difficile -Associated Diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported with use of nearly all antibacterial agents, including ZYVOX, and may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon leading to overgrowth of C. difficile . C. difficile produces toxins A and B which contribute to the development of CDAD. Hypertoxin producing strains of C. difficile cause increased morbidity and mortality, as these infections can be refractory to antimicrobial therapy and may require colectomy. CDAD must be considered in all patients who present with diarrhea following antibacterial drug use. Careful medical history is necessary since CDAD has been reported to occur over two months after the administration of antibacterial agents. If CDAD is suspected or confirmed, ongoing antibacterial drug use not directed against C. difficile may need to be discontinued. Appropriate fluid and electrolyte management, protein supplementation, antibacterial drug treatment of C. difficile , and surgical evaluation should be instituted as clinically indicated
Potential Interactions Producing Elevation of Blood Pressure Unless patients are monitored for potential increases in blood pressure, linezolid should not be administered to patients with uncontrolled hypertension, pheochromocytoma, thyrotoxicosis and/or patients taking any of the following types of medications: directly and indirectly acting sympathomimetic agents (e.g., pseudoephedrine), vasopressive agents (e.g., epinephrine, norepinephrine), dopaminergic agents (e.g., dopamine, dobutamine) [ see Drug Interactions and Clinical Pharmacology ]
Lactic Acidosis Lactic acidosis has been reported with the use of ZYVOX. In reported cases, patients experienced repeated episodes of nausea and vomiting. Patients who develop recurrent nausea or vomiting, unexplained acidosis, or a low bicarbonate level while receiving ZYVOX should receive immediate medical evaluation
Convulsions Convulsions have been reported in patients when treated with linezolid. In some of these cases, a history of seizures or risk factors for seizures was reported
Rhabdomyolysis Rhabdomyolysis has been reported with the use of linezolid, including ZYVOX [ see Adverse Reactions ]. If signs or symptoms of rhabdomyolysis such as muscle pain, tenderness or weakness, dark urine or elevated creatine phosphokinase are observed, discontinue ZYVOX and initiate appropriate therapy
Hypoglycemia Postmarketing cases of symptomatic hypoglycemia have been reported in patients with diabetes mellitus receiving insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents when treated with linezolid, a reversible, nonselective MAO inhibitor. Some MAO inhibitors have been associated with hypoglycemic episodes in diabetic patients receiving insulin or hypoglycemic agents. While a causal relationship between linezolid and hypoglycemia has not been established, diabetic patients should be cautioned of potential hypoglycemic reactions when treated with linezolid. If hypoglycemia occurs, a decrease in the dose of insulin or oral hypoglycemic agent, or discontinuation of oral hypoglycemic agent, insulin, or linezolid may be required
Hyponatremia and/or Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion (SIADH) Postmarketing cases of hyponatremia and/or Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion (SIADH) have been observed in patients treated with linezolid. In reported cases, the signs and symptoms included confusion, somnolence, generalized weakness, and in severe cases led to respiratory failure and even death. Monitor serum sodium levels regularly in the elderly, in patients taking diuretics, and in other patients at risk of hyponatremia and/or SIADH while taking ZYVOX. If signs and symptoms of hyponatremia and/or SIADH occur, discontinue ZYVOX, and institute appropriate supportive measures
Development of Drug-Resistant Bacteria Prescribing ZYVOX in the absence of a proven or strongly suspected bacterial infection or a prophylactic indication is unlikely to provide benefit to the patient and increases the risk of the development of drug-resistant bacteria.