Linezolid 600 Mg Film-Coated Tablets
PACKAGE LEAFLET
Package leaflet: Information for the user Linezolid 600mg film-coated tablets
For use in adults Linezolid
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.
- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
- If you have any further questions, ask your doctor, or pharmacist or nurse.
- This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
- If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, or pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.
What is in this leaflet
1. What Linezolid is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you take Linezolid
3. How to take Linezolid
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Linezolid
6. Contents of the pack and other information
1. What Linezolid is and what it is used for
Linezolid is an antibiotic of the oxazolidinones group that works by stopping the growth of certain bacteria (germs) that cause infections. It is used in adults to treat pneumonia and some infections in the skin or under the skin. Your doctor will have decided if Linezolid is suitable to treat your infection.
2. What you need to know before you take Linezolid
Do not take Linezolid:
• if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to linezolid or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6)
• if you are taking or have taken within the last 2 weeks any medicines known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs for example phenelzine, isocarboxazid, selegiline, moclobemide). These medications may be used to treat depression or Parkinson’s disease.
• if you are breast-feeding. This is because Linezolid passes into breast milk and could affect the baby.
Warning and precautions
Linezolid may not be suitable for you if you answer yes to any of the following questions. In this case tell your
doctor as he/she will need to check your general health and your blood pressure before and during your
treatment, or may decide that another treatment is better for you.
Ask your doctor if you are not sure whether these categories apply to you.
• Do you have high blood pressure?
• Have you been diagnosed with an overactive thyroid?
• Do you have a tumour of the adrenal glands (phaeochromocytoma) or carcinoid syndrome (caused by tumours of the hormone system with symptoms of diarrhoea, flushing of the skin, wheezing)?
• Do you suffer from manic depression, schizoaffective disorder, mental confusion or other mental problems?
• Are you taking any of the following medicines?
-decongestant cold or flu remedies containing pseudoephedrine or phenylpropanolamine -medicines used to treat asthma such as salbutamol, terbutaline, fenoterol
-antidepressants known as tricyclics or SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) for example amitriptyline, cipramil, clomipramine, dosulepin, doxepin, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, imipramine, lofepramine, paroxetine; sertraline
-medicines used to treat migraine such as sumatriptan and zolmitriptan
-medicines used to treat sudden, severe allergic reactions such as adrenaline (epinephrine)
-medicines which increase your blood pressure, such as noradrenaline (norepinephrine), dopamine and dobutamine
- medicines used to treat moderate to severe pain, such as pethidine
- medicines used to treat anxiety disorders, such as buspirone
- an antibiotic called rifampicin
Take special care with Linezolid
Talk to you doctor, pharmacist or nurse before taking Linezolid if you
• bruise and bleed easily
• are anaemic (have low red blood cells)
• are prone to getting infections
• have a history of seizures
• have liver problems or kidney problems particularly if you have dialysis
• have diarrhoea
Tell your doctor immediately if during treatment you suffer from
• problems with your vision such as blurred vision, changes in colour vision, difficulty in seeing detail or if your field of vision becomes restricted.
• loss of sensitivity in your arms or legs or a sensation of tingling or pricking in your arms or legs.
• You may develop diarrhoea while taking or after taking antibiotics, including Linezolid. If this becomes severe or persistent or you notice that your stools contains blood or mucus, you should stop taking Linezolid immediately and consult your doctor. In this situation, you should not take medicines that stop or slow bowel movement.
• recurrent nausea or vomiting, abdominal pain or over breathing Other medicines and Linezolid
There is a risk that Linezolid may sometimes interact with certain other medicines to cause side effects such as changes in blood pressure, temperature or heart rate
Tell your doctor if you are taking or have taken within the last 2 weeks the following medicines as Linezolid must not be taken if you are already taking these medicines or have taken them recently. (See also Section 2 above ‘Do not take Linezolid’.
• monoamine oxidase inhibitors ( MAOIs for example phenelzine, isocarboxazid, selegiline, moclobemide). These may be used to treat depression or Parkinson’s disease
Also tell your doctor if you are taking the following medicines. Your doctor may still decide to give you Linezolid, but will need to check your general health and your blood pressure before and during your treatment. In other cases, your doctor may decide that another treatment is better for you.
• Decongestant cold or flu remedies containing pseudoephedrine or phenylpropanolamine.
• Some medicines used to treat asthma such as salbutamol, terbutaline, fenoterol.
• Certain antidepressants known as tricyclics or SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). There are many of these, including amitriptyline, cipramil, clomipramine, dosulepin, doxepin, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, imipramine, lofepramine, paroxetine, sertraline.
• Medicines used to treat migraine such as sumatriptan and zolmitriptan.
• Medicines used to treat sudden, severe allergic reactions such as adrenaline (epinephrine).
• Medicines which increase your blood pressure, such as noradrenaline (norepinephrine) dopamine and dobutamine.
• Medicines used to treat moderate to severe pain, such as pethidine.
• Medicines used to treat anxiety disorders, such as buspirone.
• Medicines that stop blood clotting, such as warfarin.
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.
Linezolid with food and drink
• You can take Linezolid either before, during or after a meal.
• Avoid eating large amounts of mature cheese, yeast extracts, or soya bean extracts e.g. soy sauce and drinking alcohol, especially draught beers and wine. This is because this medicine may react with a substance called tyramine which is naturally present in some foods. This interaction may cause an increase in your blood pressure.
• If you develop a throbbing headache after eating or drinking, tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately. Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility
The effect of Linezolid in pregnant women is not known. Therefore it should not be taken in pregnancy unless advised by your doctor. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
You should not breastfeed when taking Linezolid because it passes into breast milk and could affect the baby. Driving and using machines
Linezolid may make you feel dizzy or experience problems with your vision. If this happens, do not drive or operate any machinery. Remember that if you are unwell your ability to drive or operate machinery may be affected.
Linezolid contains lactose. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.
3. How to take Linezolid Adults
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you are not sure. The usual dose is one tablet (600 mg linezolid) twice daily (every twelve hours). Swallow the tablet whole with some water.
If you are on kidney dialysis, you should take Linezolid after dialysis treatment.
A course of treatment usually lasts 10 to 14 days but can last up to 28 days. The safety and effectiveness of this medicine have not been established for treatment periods longer than 28 days. Your doctor will decide how long you should be treated.
While you are taking Linezolid, your doctor should perform regular blood tests to monitor your blood count. Your doctor should monitor your eyesight if you take Linezolid for more than 28 days.
Use in children
Linezolid is not normally used to treat children and adolescents (under 18 years old).
If you take more Linezolid than you should
Tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
If you forget to take Linezolid
Take the forgotten tablet as soon as you remember. Take the next tablet 12 hours after this and continue taking your tablets every 12 hours. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten tablet.
If you stop taking Linezolid
Unless your doctor instructs you to stop treatment, it is important to continue taking Linezolid.
If you stop and your original symptoms come back tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side-effects, although not everybody gets them.
Tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist immediately if you notice any of these side effects during your treatment with Linezolid:
• skin reactions such as red sore skin and flaking (dermatitis), rash, itching, or swelling, particularly around the face and neck. This may be the sign of an allergic reaction and it may be necessary for you to stop taking Linezolid.
• problems with your vision such as blurred vision, changes in colour vision, difficulty in seeing detail or if your field of vision becomes restricted.
• severe diarrhoea containing blood and/or mucus (antibiotic associated colitis including pseudomembranous colitis), which in rare circumstances may develop into complications that are life-threatening.
• recurrent nausea or vomiting, abdominal pain or rapid breathing.
• fits or seizures have been reported with Linezolid. You should let your doctor know if you experience agitation, confusion, delirium, rigidity, tremor, incoordination and seizure while also taking antidepressants known as SSRIs (see section 2).
Numbness, tingling or blurred vision have been reported by patients who have been given Linezolid for more than 28 days. If you experience difficulties with your vision you should consult your doctor as soon as possible.
Other side effects include:
Common side-effects (likely to occur in less than 1 in 10 people):
• Fungal infections especially vaginal or oral “thrush”
• Headache
• Metallic taste in the mouth
• Diarrhoea, nausea or vomiting
• Changes in some blood test results including those measuring your kidney or liver function or blood sugar levels
• Unexplained bleeding or bruising, which may be due to changes in the numbers of certain cells in the blood which may affect blood clotting or lead to anaemia
• Difficulty in sleeping
• Increased blood pressure
• Anaemia (low red blood cell)
• Changes in numbers of certain cells in the blood which may affect your ability to fight infection
• Skin rash
• Itching skin
• Dizziness
• Localised or general abdominal pain
• Constipation
• Indigestion
• Localised pain
• Fever
Uncommon side-effects (likely to occur in less than 1 in 100 people):
• Inflammation of the vagina or genital area in women
• Sensations such as tingling or feeling numb
• Blurred vision
• “Ringing” in the ears (tinnitus)
• Inflammation of the veins
• Dry or sore mouth , swollen, sore, or discoloured tongue
• A need to urinate more often
• Chills
• Feeling tired or thirsty
• Inflammation of the pancreas
• Increased sweating
• Changes in proteins, salts or enzymes in the blood which measure kidney or liver function.
• Convulsions
• Hyponatraemia (low blood sodium levels)
• Kidney failure
• Reduction in platelets
• Abdominal bloating
• Transient ischaemic attacks (temporary disturbance of blood flow to the brain causing short term symptoms such as loss of vision, leg and arm weakness, slurring of speech and loss of consciousness).
• Injection site pain
• Inflammation of the skin
• Increase in creatinine
• Stomach pain
• Changes in heart rate (e.g. increase rate)
Rare side-effects (likely to occur in less than 1 in 1000 people):
• Restricted field of vision
• Superficial tooth discolouration , removable with professional dental cleaning (manual descaling)
The following side effects have also been reported (frequency not known):
• Serotonin syndrome (symptoms include fast heart rate, confusion, abnormal sweating, hallucinations, involuntary movements chills and shivering)
• Lactic acidosis (symptoms include recurrent nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, overbreathing)
• Severe skin disorders
• Sideroblastic anaemia (a type of anaemia (low red blood cells))
• Alopecia (hair loss)
• Changes in colour vision or difficulty in seeing detail
• Decrease of the blood cell count
• Weakness and/or sensory changes
If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via Yellow Card Scheme; Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store Linezolid
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the pack. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
This medicine does not require any special storage conditions.
HDPE bottle should be used within 30 days after first opening.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. The measures will help protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information What Linezolid contains
-The active substance in this medicine is called linezolid. Each tablet contains 600 mg linezolid -The other ingredients are lactose monohydrate, maize starch, hydroxypropyl cellulose, sodium starch glycolate type A, magnesium stearate, hypromellose (E464), titanium dioxide(E171)m, macrogol 400(E1521) and carnauba wax.
What Linezolid film-coated tablets looks like and contents of the pack
Linezolid 600 mg Film-Coated Tablets are white to off white, oval shaped film-coated tablet with “H” on one side and “L8” on the other side.
Linezolid tablets are available in Alu-Alu blisters containing 1, 10, 20, 30, 50, 60, 100, 200 film-coated tablets and HDPE bottles containing 20 and 100 film-coated tablets.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer
Hetero Europe S.L.
Viladecans Business Park - Edificio Brasil Catalunya 83-85 08840 Viladecans Spain
This medicinal product is authorised in the Member States of the EEA under the following names:
Portugal Linezolida Hetero Europe
Germany Linezolid Hetero Europe 600 mg Filmtabletten
United Kingdom Linezolid 600 mg film-coated tablets