Zyvox (linezolid): Drug Safety Communication - Serious CNS
Reactions Possible When Given to Patients Taking Certain
Psychiatric Medications  July 26, 2011  Audience: Infectious
Disease, Psychiatry, Family Practice  ISSUE: FDA has received
reports of serious central nervous system (CNS) reactions when
the antibacterial drug linezolid (Zyvox) is given to patients
taking psychiatric medications that work through the serotonin
system of the brain (serotonergic psychiatric medications. A
list of the serotonergic psychiatric medications that can
interact with linezolid can be found in the Drug Safety
Communication. Safety information about this potential drug
interaction and important drug usage recommendations for
emergency and non-emergency situations are being added to the
drug labels for serotonergic psychiatric medications and
linezolid.  BACKGROUND: Linezolid is used to treat infections,
including pneumonia, infections of the skin, and infections
caused by a resistant bacterium (Enterococcus faecium). It is a