What is Zyvox?

Zyvox Dosage, forms & strengths

Medically reviewed by Jamie Winn, PharmD

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Zyvox (linezolid) is an oxazolidinone antibiotic that is manufactured by Pfizer. It is indicated to treat adult and pediatric patients with gram-positive bacterial infections including:

Nosocomial pneumonia (hospital-acquired) caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
Community-acquired pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumonia, with or without bacteremia
Complicated skin or skin structure infections
Uncomplicated skin or skin structure infections
Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium infections

Zyvox is not approved for gram-negative microorganisms or catheter-related infections. It will also not treat viral infections such as the common cold.

What is Zyvox’s mechanism of action?

Zyvox is an antimicrobial medication that stops the growth of bacteria through the inhibition of protein synthesis. Without enough protein, susceptible pathogens cannot grow. Zyvox is also a reversible, non-selective monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI).

Zyvox dosage forms and strengths

100ml of 2mg/ml200mg intravenous infusion bag
200ml of 2mg/ml200mg intravenous infusion bag
300ml of 2mg/ml200mg intravenous infusion bag

240ml of 100 mg/5ml oral suspension
600mg film-coated tablet

Zyvox dosage

Adult dosage

Community-acquired or hospital-acquired pneumonia: Zyvox 600mg intravenously or orally every 12 hours for 10 to 14 days.
Complicated skin and skin structure infections: Zyvox 600mg intravenously or orally every 12 hours for 10 to 14 days.
Uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections: Zyvox 400mg by mouth every 12 hours for 10 to 14 days.
Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium infection: Zyvox 600mg intravenously or orally every 12 hours for 14 to 28 days.

Pediatric and adolescent dosage

Community-acquired or hospital-acquired pneumonia: Zyvox 10mg/kg of body weight given intravenously or orally every 8 hours for 10 to 14 days.
Complicated skin and skin structure infections: Zyvox 10mg/kg of body weight given intravenously or orally every 8 hours for 10 to 14 days.
Uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections:
For patients <5 yrs: Zyvox 10mg/kg of body weight by mouth every 8 hours for 10 to 14 days.
For patients 5-11 yrs: Zyvox 10mg/kg of body weight by mouth every 12 hours for 10 to 14 days.
For patients 12-17 yrs: Zyvox 600mg by mouth every 12 hours for 10 to 14 days.
Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium infection: Zyvox 10mg/kg of body weight given intravenously or orally every 8 hours for 14 to 28 days.

Zyvox dosage restrictions

No dose adjustment or discontinuation is recommended in patients with mild to moderate hepatic (liver) impairment. Zyvox has not been studied in patients with severe liver impairment.
No dose adjustment or discontinuation is recommended in patients with renal (kidney) impairment.

How to take Zyvox

Read the Full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide that comes with this medication.
Take this medication exactly as your doctor tells you. Do not change the dose or stop taking this medication without talking with them.
Zyvox is taken 2 to 3 times a day with or without food for 10 to 28 days, depending on the infection being treated. Finish the full course of Zyvox treatment even if you or your child begin to feel better after a few days.
If you miss a dose of Zyvox, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip it and take the next dose at its regular time. Do not take extra doses of Zyvox to make up for a missed dose.
Zyvox oral suspension should be gently mixed by turning the bottle upside down 3 to 5 times before using. Do not shake the bottle. Measure your dose of this medication with a measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup. Do not use a household spoon to measure your dose of Zyvox.
Zyvox tablets and oral suspension should be stored at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C). Throw away any suspension you haven’t used after 21 days.

Zyvox dosage FAQs

What are some side effects of Zyvox?

Some common adverse reactions to Zyvox seen in clinical trials include:

Diarrhea
Headache
Nausea
Rash
Vomiting
Taste changes
Vaginal yeast infection
Rash
Abdominal pain
Anemia
Fungal infection

Zyvox can sometimes cause more serious adverse events, including:

Severe allergic reactions or skin reactions
Lactic acidosis (build-up of lactic acid in the blood)
Myelosuppression (low blood cell count)
Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count)
Optic neuropathy (progressive loss of vision)
Serotonin syndrome, especially if taken with other serotonergic agents
Severe diarrhea due to Clostridium difficile
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
Seizures

Contact your healthcare provider for medical advice about any side effects you experience while taking Zyvox. You can report your side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

What are some drug interactions with Zyvox?

The use of Zyvox with other medications may change its antibacterial activity or increase the frequency and severity of side effects. Make sure your healthcare professional is aware of all the prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements you are currently taking, including:

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Tricyclic antidepressants
MAOIs such as phenelzine
Opioids such as meperidine
Adrenergic medications such as pseudoephedrine and epinephrine
Dobutamine
Buspirone
Epinephrine

Are there any contraindications or precautions with Zyvox?

Zyvox is contraindicated in patients who have a known hypersensitivity to linezolid or any of the inactive ingredients in its formulation. You should also not take this medication if you have taken an MAOI in the last 2 weeks.

You should use Zyvox with caution if you have high blood pressure, a history of seizures, diabetes, thyroid disease, bone marrow suppression, or an adrenal gland tumor. You should also be careful if you have phenylketonuria (PKU) as the oral suspension contains phenylalanine.

Is it safe to use Zyvox while pregnant or breastfeeding?

Animal studies and postmarketing reports showed no increase in the risk of adverse effects to the fetus or loss of pregnancy in women taking Zyvox. Clinical studies also showed that Zyvox was excreted in the milk of rats. It is not known if Zyvox is found in human milk during lactation. You should always discuss the risks and benefits of any medication with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, plan on becoming pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

Can I drink alcohol with Zyvox?

You should not consume any foods or drinks that are high in tyramine, including tap or homemade beer, red wine, sherry, and liqueurs. Tyramine can increase your blood pressure to dangerous levels.

What is the cost of Zyvox?

The average cost of #20, generic Zyvox 600mg tablets is over $2,700.

When should you take Zyvox?

Adult patients will take Zyvox twice a day or about every 12 hours. Pediatric patients will take Zyvox 2 to 3 times a day or about every 8 to 12 hours.

How long should Zyvox be taken?

Depending on the infection being treated, you will take Zyvox 2 to 3 times a day for 10 to 28 days.

What labs will be monitored while on Zyvox?

Your doctor may take baseline tests and then monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar, complete blood count (CBC), and visual exam while on Zyvox.

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The content on this website is intended for information purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. The information on this website should not be relied upon and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should always speak to your doctor regarding the risks and benefits of any treatment.