What is Zyvox?

Zyvox is used to treat different types of bacterial infections, such pneumonia, skin infections, and infections that are resistant to other antibiotics.

Zyvox may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
Important information about Zyvox

Do not use Zyvox if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you use Zyvox before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.

You also should not use Zyvox if you are also using buspirone (BuSpar), meperidine (Demerol), a diet pill or other stimulant, pseudoephedrine (a decongestant), ADHD medication such as Adderall or Dexedrine, migraine or cluster headache medications ("triptans") such as Imitrex or Zomig and others, medication to treat Parkinson's disease or restless leg syndrome, or an antidepressant such as Celexa, Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, and others.

You should not use Zyvox if you have untreated or uncontrolled high blood pressure, a carcinoid tumor, adrenal gland tumor, or a severely overactive thyroid.

Before using Zyvox, tell your doctor if you have high blood pressure, a seizure disorder, kidney or liver disease, bone marrow suppression, or a weak immune system.

Eating tyramine while you are using Zyvox can raise your blood pressure to dangerous levels. Avoid foods that have a high level of tyramine, such as aged cheeses or meats, pickled or fermented meats, smoked or air-dried meats, sauerkraut, soy sauce, tap beer, red wine, or any meat, cheese, or other protein-based food that has been improperly stored.

Some people have developed a life-threatening condition called lactic acidosis while taking Zyvox. Early signs of lactic acidosis generally get worse over time and this condition can be fatal. Get emergency medical help if you have even mild symptoms of lactic acidosis, such as: muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in your arms and legs, trouble breathing, stomach pain, nausea with vomiting, slow or uneven heart rate, dizziness, or feeling very weak or tired.
Before using Zyvox

Do not use Zyvox if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you use Zyvox before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.

You also should not use Zyvox if you are also using any of these drugs:

buspirone (BuSpar);
meperidine (Demerol);
a diet pill that contains a stimulant
cold or allergy medicines that contain a decongestant such as pseudoephedrine;
ADHD medication such as Adderall or Dexedrine;
migraine or cluster headache medication such as almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), sumatriptan (Imitrex), or zolmitriptan (Zomig);
medication to treat Parkinson's disease or restless leg syndrome, such as carbidopa or levodopa (Lodosyn, Parcopa, Sinemet), pramipexole (Mirapex), or ropinorole (Requip); or
an antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon), citalopram (Celexa), doxepin (Sinequan), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, Symbyax), fluvoxamine
(Luvox), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline (Zoloft), and others.

You should not use Zyvox if you are allergic to linezolid, or if you have

untreated or uncontrolled high blood pressure
a carcinoid tumor;
pheochromocytoma (adrenal gland tumor); or
a severe thyroid disorder

If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication. Before using Zyvox, tell your doctor if you have:

high blood pressure;
epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
a thyroid disorder
kidney or liver disease; or
bone marrow suppression or a weak immune system.

Some people have developed a life-threatening condition called lactic acidosis while taking Zyvox. You may be more likely to develop lactic acidosis if you have liver or kidney disease, congestive heart failure, or if you drink large amounts of alcohol. Talk with your doctor about your individual risk.

You may be more likely to develop lactic acidosis if you have liver disease, kidney disease, or congestive heart failure, or if you drink large amounts of alcohol. Talk with your doctor about your individual risk.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Zyvox is harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether linezolid passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby

The oral liquid form of Zyvox may contain phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor before using this form of linezolid if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

Zyvox can be taken with or without food.

Before taking the oral suspension (liquid), gently mix it by turning the bottle upside down 3 to 5 times. Do not shake. Measure the liquid with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

Intravenous Zyvox is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein. The medicine must be given slowly through an IV infusion, and can take up to 2 hours to complete. You may be shown how to use your medicine at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of needles, IV tubing, and other items used in giving the medicine.

To be sure Zyvox is not causing harmful effects, your blood may need to be tested on a regular basis. Your vision may need to be checked if you use Zyvox long-term. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Use this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Zyvox will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu. Store Zyvox at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Do not freeze the liquid forms of Zyvox. Throw away any unused oral liquid that is more than 21 days old.

What happens if I miss a dose

What happens if I overdose

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

While you are using Zyvox, avoid taking an "SSRI" antidepressant without telling your doctor. This includes citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline (Zoloft). Taking an SSRI antidepressant together with Zyvox can cause symptoms such as anxiety, high fever, sweating, chills or goosebumps, memory problems, trouble concentrating, loss of coordination, or muscle spasms.

Eating tyramine while you are using Zyvox can raise your blood pressure to dangerous levels. Avoid foods that have a high level of tyramine, such as:

aged cheeses or meats
pickled or fermented meats
smoked or air-dried meats
sauerkraut
soy sauce
tap beer (alcoholic and nonalcoholic)
red wine; or
any meat, cheese, or other protein-based food that has been improperly stored

You should become very familiar with the list of foods you must avoid while you are using Zyvox

Zyvox side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms
diarrhea that is watery or bloody
blurred vision, trouble seeing colors
numbness, burning, pain, or tingly feeling in your hands or feet
seizure (convulsions); or

lactic acidosis - muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in your arms and legs, trouble breathing, stomach pain, nausea with vomiting, slow or uneven heart rate, dizziness, or feeling very weak or tired.

Less serious Zyvox side effects may include

headache, dizziness
nausea, vomiting, constipation, stomach pain or upset;
sleep problems (insomnia)
mild rash or itching
discolored tongue, unusual or unpleasant taste in the mouth;
vaginal itching or discharg
yeast infection in the mouth.

What other drugs will affect Zyvox

Where can I get more information
Your pharmacist can provide more information about Zyvox.