Medication Information Leaflet

What is this medication for?

Linezolid is an antibiotic that stops the growth of bacteria by blocking the bacteria’s protein synthesis. It also suppresses production of bacterial toxins. It is usually reserved for more resistant bacteria.

How should I take/use this medication?

• Take as instructed by your healthcare professional.
• You may take this medication with or without food. 
• Keep taking this drug as you have been told by your doctor or other healthcare provider, even if you feel well.
• It is important that you do not miss or skip a dose of this drug during treatment.
• Do not stop taking your medication without checking with your healthcare professional.
• Tablets may be cut or crushed if you have difficulty swallowing the whole pill.

What should I do if I forget to take/use this medication?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. 

However, if it is more than 6 hours since your last dose, skip the dose and continue with your usual dose at your next usual timing. Write down the number of doses you have missed and inform your healthcare professional during your next visit.

Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose. 

What precautions should I take?

Inform your healthcare professional if you: 

• Have pheochromocytoma (tumour of the adrenal gland), high blood pressure or overactive thyroid
• Are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
• Are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding 
• Are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies. 

What are some common side-effects of this medication?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or headache
• Numbness or weakness or pain at your fingertips 
• Changes in eyesight

It is also important to complete the blood tests recommended by your healthcare professional. Low blood counts are fairly common and regular blood tests allow your healthcare professional to pick it up early. Monitor closely for the following symptoms:

• Giddiness, extreme tiredness, weak
• Fever, chills, pain when passing urine 
• Unexplained bleeding/bruising, blood in urine or black sticky stools

These are not all the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, speak to your healthcare professional during your next appointment. However, if the symptoms are severe, do see your healthcare professional immediately.

What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately?

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following: 

• Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
• Difficulty in breathing
• Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

Other rare but serious side effects include:

• Liver problems: 
  • Dark brown urine, light coloured stools (pale grey/clay coloured)
  • Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite
  • Yellowing of skin or eyes
• Lactic acidosis (a build-up of lactic acid in the body): 
  • Decreased appetite, vomiting/stomach pains that persists for some time
  • Shortness of breath, fast shallow breathing, fast heartbeat 
  • Very bad dizziness
  • Very tired or weak
  • Muscle pain or cramps
  • Feeling cold
• Serotonin syndrome: 
  • Unexplained fever
  • Confusion, severe weakness
  • Uncontrolled movements or twitching of the muscle.

Please go for the blood tests as recommended by your healthcare professional to minimise the risk of the above symptoms. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

What food or medication should I avoid when I take this medication?

Avoid taking tyramine-containing food e.g. matured cheese, salamis, sausages, wines, beers.

How should I store this medication?

Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children. 

How should I throw away this medication safely?

This is an antibiotic and inappropriate disposal may contribute to antimicrobial resistance. Please pack the medication into a bag and bring it back to the pharmacy where you received the medication from. 

Disclaimers

Please take note that the above is not a complete list of all possible side effects. If you have any concerns about your medication or if you have other side effects that you think are caused by this medication, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.

This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (National Healthcare Group, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.

Last updated in August 2023