linezolid
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
Please read this leaflet carefully before taking Zyvox. This leaflet answers some common questions about Zyvox. It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your or your child's doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you or your child taking Zyvox against the expected benefits it will have.
Ask the doctor if you have any concerns about you or your child taking this medicine.
Keep this leaflet even after your treatment with Zyvox is finished.
You may need to read it again.
What Zyvox is used for
Zyvox contains the active ingredient, linezolid.
Zyvox is an antibiotic (an agent used to destroy certain types of bacteria). It is used in the treatment of bacterial infections such as pneumonia, skin infections or blood infections.
Depending on the type of bacteria, you may be given additional medicines.
Your doctor, however, may prescribe Zyvox for another purpose.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Zyvox has been prescribed for you or your child.
This medicine is not addictive.
Before treatment with Zyvox
When Zyvox must not be used
Zyvox must not be given if you or your child:
are allergic to linezolid or any of the other ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include: shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body, rash, itching or hives on the skin.
have uncontrolled high blood pressure
have pheochromocytoma (a type of tumour of the adrenal gland)
have thyrotoxicosis (an overactive thyroid gland)
have flushing or other symptoms caused by a carcinoid tumour
are taking or have taken in the last two weeks any medicine that is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (e.g., moclobemide, phenelzine or tranylcypromine to treat depression or selegiline to treat Parkinson's disease)
any cold or flu medicine containing pseudoephedrine
adrenaline, a medicine used to treat severe allergic reactions
any other medicine that increases blood pressure (e.g., noradrenaline, dopamine, dobutamine)
are taking any medicine that is an SSRI or serotonin re-uptake inhibitor, which are types of medicine to treat depression, anxiety, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorders or obesity (e.g., citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline, duloxetine, sibutramine, venlafaxine)
tricyclic antidepressants, which are medicines to treat depression (e.g., amitriptyline, clomipramine, dothiepin, doxepin, imipramine, nortriptyline, trimipramine)
some medicines to treat migraine (e.g., naratriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan)
pethidine, a medicine to treat pain.
buspirone, a medicine to treat anxiety.
Do not use Zyvox if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
Do not use Zyvox after the expiry date printed on the pack has passed.
Do not use Zyvox oral suspension if it is more than 3 weeks since you received it from the pharmacist.
Before treatment with Zyvox
Tell the doctor if you or your child:
have diarrhoea
have allergies to any other medicines or substances, such as foods, preservatives or dyes
have phenylketonuria
Zyvox oral suspension contains aspartame and this is partly converted into phenylalanine.
are anaemic or have had any abnormal blood test results (e.g., low haemoglobin or platelets)
are diabetic
Zyvox injection contains glucose.
Tell the doctor if you:
are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, the doctor may decide not to prescribe Zyvox.
Talk to the doctor or pharmacist, if you have any concerns about you or your child being given Zyvox.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines that you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
In particular, tell the doctor if you or your child have been treated with or are taking:
any medicine that inhibits monoamine oxidase (e.g., moclobemide, phenelzine or tranylcypromine to treat depression or selegiline to treat Parkinson's disease)
any cold or flu medicine containing pseudoephedrine
adrenaline, a medicine used to treat severe allergic reactions
any other medicine that increases blood pressure (e.g., noradrenaline, dopamine, dobutamine)
are taking any medicine that is an SSRI or serotonin re-uptake inhibitor, which are types of medicine to treat depression, anxiety, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorders or obesity (e.g., citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline, duloxetine, sibutramine, venlafaxine)
tricyclic antidepressants, which are medicines to treat depression (e.g., amitriptyline, clomipramine, dothiepin, doxepin, imipramine, nortriptyline, trimipramine)
some medicines to treat migraine (e.g., naratriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan)
pethidine, a medicine to treat pain.
buspirone, a medicine to treat anxiety
rifampicin, a medicine to treat tuberculosis and some other infections
any medicine that could reduce the levels of haemoglobin (the pigment in red blood cells which carries oxygen) or platelets (blood cells which help blood to clot)
Ask the doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about this list of medicines.
Also tell the doctor if your or your child's diet contains a lot of mature cheese, yeast extracts, meat extracts, soya bean extracts (e.g., soy sauce), draught beers or wine.
Zyvox may react with a substance which is naturally present in these foods.
How Zyvox is given
It is recommended that treatment with Zyvox begin in a hospital.
Tablets and Oral Suspension
Follow all directions given by your or your child's doctor carefully.
These directions may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
If you do not understand the instructions on the box, ask the doctor or pharmacist for help.
Gently mix Zyvox oral suspension by slowly turning the bottle over a few times before you use it. DO NOT SHAKE THE BOTTLE.
Do not take or give Zyvox oral suspension to your child if it is more than 3 weeks since you received it from your pharmacist.
Injection
Zyvox injection will be given to you or your child by the doctor or nurse.
Zyvox is a liquid which is given by slow injection into the blood (known as an intravenous infusion or "drip").
If you or your child is on dialysis, Zyvox infusion should be given after dialysis.
You or your child may be changed from Zyvox injection to Zyvox tablets or Zyvox oral suspension) to complete your course of treatment.
When to take it
Zyvox can be taken before, during or after meals.
If you or your child is on dialysis, take Zyvox after dialysis.
How much is given
Tablets
The recommended dose for adults and adolescents 12 years and older is one 600 mg tablet twice daily (every 12 hours).
Oral suspension
The recommended dose for babies and children up to 12 years of age is 10 mg/kg three times daily (every 8 hours).
The recommended dose for adults and adolescents 12 years and older is 30 mL (600 mg) twice daily.
Continue taking Zyvox until you or your child finish the tablets or oral suspension unless your doctor recommends otherwise.
Do not stop taking Zyvox unless your doctor tells you to, even if you feel better.
Do not stop giving Zyvox to your child unless your child's doctor tells you to, even if your child feels better.
If you or your child do not complete the full course prescribed by the doctor, the bacteria causing the infection may continue to grow and multiply. The infection may not clear completely or it may return.
A course of treatment usually lasts 10 to 14 days, but may be up to 28 days.
Injection
The recommended dose for adults and adolescents 12 years and older is 600mg twice daily (every 12 hours).
The recommended doses for babies and children up to 12 years of age is 10mg/kg three times daily (every 8 hours).
These doses are given intravenously by a "drip" over a period of 30 to 120 minutes.
Treatment is usually given every day for 10 to 14 days, but may given for up to 28 days.
Ask the doctor if you want more information about the dose of Zyvox and how it is given.
In case of overdose
Immediately telephone your doctor or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital, if you think you or anyone else may have been given too much Zyvox.
Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
You or your child may need urgent medical attention.
Keep the telephone numbers for these places handy.
The possible effects of overdose are vomiting, tremors (shaking), unsteadiness or lack of coordination.
While being treated with Zyvox
Things you must do
Follow all instructions given by the doctor.
In some cases, additional blood tests may be required.
If the symptoms of the infection do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, tell your or your child's doctor.
As part of the treatment, you or your child may be given other medicines including other antibiotics. It is important to keep taking these medicines as well as Zyvox unless you are told otherwise by your doctor or pharmacist.
It is important to tell the doctor if you develop diarrhoea during or after treatment with Zyvox. Do this even if it occurs several weeks after Zyvox has been stopped.
Do not take any medicine to treat diarrhoea without first checking with the doctor.
Diarrhoea may be caused by a serious condition affecting the bowel. You or your child may need urgent medical care.
If you or your child get a sore white mouth or tongue during or soon after treatment with Zyvox tell your doctor.
Tell the doctor if you or your child get vaginal itching or discharge.
This may mean you or your child have a fungal infection called thrush. Sometimes the use of Zyvox allows fungi to grow which causes the symptoms described above. Zyvox does not work against fungi.
Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while you are being treated with Zyvox.
Tell all doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you or your child that you are taking Zyvox.
Things you must not do
Do not start taking any other medicines, prescription or not, without first telling your doctor or pharmacist.
Do not give your child any other medicines, prescription or purchased from a health food shop, pharmacy or supermarket without first telling your doctor or pharmacist.
Do not take any medicine to treat diarrhoea without first checking with the doctor.
Diarrhoea may be caused by a serious condition affecting the bowel. You or your child may need urgent medical care.
Avoid eating too much mature cheese, yeast extracts, meat extracts or soya bean extracts (e.g., soy sauce). Avoid drinking alcohol, especially draught beers and wine.
This is because Zyvox may react with a substance which is naturally present in these foods.
If you or your child develop a throbbing headache after eating, tell your doctor or health care professional.
Do not give Zyvox to anyone else, even if they seem to have the same condition as you.
Do not take Zyvox to treat other complaints unless your doctor tells you to do so.
Side effects
Tell the doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you or you child do not feel well while you are being treated with Zyvox.
This medicine helps most people, but it may have unwanted side effects in a few people. All medicines can have side effects. If they occur, most are likely to be minor and temporary. However, some may be serious and need medical attention.
Do not be alarmed by the following lists of side effects.
You or your child may not experience any of them.
Ask the doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell the doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
headache
sore, white mouth or tongue (oral thrush)
vaginal itching or discharge (vaginal thrush)
pain, cramping or bloating of the abdomen
nausea or vomiting
metallic taste
change in the colour of the tongue
change in the colour of teeth. This may be reversible.
Tell your doctor immediately and before you or your child are given the next dose of Zyvox if you notice any of the following:
skin reactions (hives, rash or itching)
visual disturbances or numbness or weakness of the arms and legs (rare side effects that have been primarily reported in patients treated for longer than 28 days)
tiredness, headaches, being short of breath when exercising, dizziness, looking pale, dark circles around the eyes, fever and chills, sore throat or bruising (these symptoms may indicate a decrease in the level of your blood cells)
sweating, feeling drunk and dizzy, muscle twitching, fever and shivering, confusion
These may be symptoms of the serotonin syndrome, which is a rare but serious side effect.
If any of the following happen, tell your or your child's doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital:
seizure
shortness of breath
wheezing or difficulty breathing
swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
rash, severe itching or hives or blisters on the skin and bleeding in the lips, eyes, mouth, nose and genitals.
widespread painful red areas, followed by blisters and ends with peeling of layers pf skin. This may be accompanied by fevers and chills, aching muscles and generally feeling unwell.
These may be signs of a serious allergic reaction or side effect. You or your child may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation. These side effects are rare.
After stopping your treatment
Tell your or your child's doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following side effects, particularly if they occur several weeks after stopping treatment with Zyvox:
severe stomach cramps
watery and severe diarrhoea (which may be bloody), fever, in combination with one or both of the above.
Zyvox can cause some bacteria, which are normally present in the bowel and normally harmless, to multiply and therefore cause the above symptoms. You may need urgent medical attention.
Tell your or your child's doctor if you notice any other side effects.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some people.
After using Zyvox
Storage
Keep Zyvox tablets and Zyvox oral suspension in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.
Keep your tablets or oral suspension in the original packaging, including outer carton, until it is time to take them. Keep oral suspension bottles tightly closed.
If you take the medicine out of the pack it may not keep well.
Do not store Zyvox or any other medicines in a bathroom or near a sink.
Do not leave it in the car or on window sills.
Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep Zyvox where children cannot reach it.
A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Zyvox injection will normally be stored in a hospital. It should be stored below 25°C and should be protected from light (kept in the box and foil wrapping before use).
Hospital staff will make sure the medicine is not used after the expiry date printed on the bag.
Product description
What Zyvox looks like
Zyvox tablets are white to off-white coated tablet with "ZYV" debossed on one side and "600" debossed on the other. The tablets are available in blister packs of 10 tablets.
Zyvox oral suspension is a white, fluid which is orange flavoured. It is supplied in an amber glass bottle with a screw cap. A measuring spoon with 2.5 mL and 5 mL markings is also provided.
Zyvox injection is a sterile, clear, colourless to yellow fluid for injection supplied as 300mL in infusion bags. Each bag is for single use only and is packaged in a foil overwrap contained within an outer carton.
Ingredients
The active ingredient in Zyvox is linezolid.
Zyvox tablets contain 600 mg of linezolid.
The tablets also contain:
microcrystalline cellulose (E460i)
maize starch
sodium starch glycollate type A
hyprolose (E463)
magnesium stearate (E572).
The film coating contains:
hypromellose (E464)
titanium dioxide (E171)
macrogol 400
carnauba wax (E903).
Zyvox oral suspension contains 20 mg/mL of linezolid (total 150 mL).
Other ingredients are:
sucrose
mannitol (E421)
microcrystalline cellulose (E460i)
carmellose sodium (E466)
aspartame (E951)
anhydrous colloidal silica (E551)
sodium citrate (E331)
xanthan gum (E415)
sodium benzoate (E211)
citric acid (E330)
sodium chloride.
The granules are flavoured with Mafco magnasweet, orange flavour, orange cream flavour, Sweet-am powder, vanilla flavour and peppermint flavour.
Important information about some of the ingredients in Zyvox oral suspension
This medicine contains aspartame, sodium benzoate, sucrose and sodium as well as other ingredients.
Aspartame is partly converted into phenylalanine.
Sodium benzoate is known to be a mild irritant to the skin, eyes and mucous membranes. In the quantities present in Zyvox suspension (0.2%) no harmful effects are expected.
Sodium may be harmful in a low-sodium diet.
Each 5 mL of suspension contains about 1 g of sucrose.
Zyvox is not suitable for treating people with hereditary fructose intolerance, glucose-galactose malabsorption syndrome or sucrase-isomaltase deficiency.
Sucrose may cause gastrointestinal complaints and diarrhoea.
Zyvox injection contains 2 mg/ml of linezolid.
Other ingredients are:
glucose
sodium citrate (E331)
citric acid (E330)
hydrochloric acid (E507)/ sodium hydroxide (E524)
water for injections.
