Good clinical outcomes but high rates of adverse reactions during linezolid therapy for serious infections: a proposed protocol for monitoring therapy in complex patients.
We assessed the toxicity and clinical outcomes associated with linezolid therapy (mean duration, 29+/-28 days; range, 8 to 185 days) in 44 patients with serious gram-positive infections. Although a clinical cure was achieved in 73% of the cases, 28/44 (64%) had adverse reactions (thrombocytopenia, n=13; anemia, n=7; gastrointestinal, n=12; peripheral neuropathy, n=1; serotonin syndrome, n=1), such that a systematic monitoring protocol was developed.
Infectious Diseases Department, Austin Health, Studley Rd., Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia. Emma.Bishop@austin.org.au
Emma
E
Bishop
Sharmila
S
Melvani
Benjamin P
BP
Howden
Patrick G P
PG
Charles
M Lindsay
ML
Grayson
D000081:Acetamides / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000069349:Linezolid; D008875:Middle Aged; D023303:Oxazolidinones / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000081:Acetamides; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D023303:Oxazolidinones; D000069349:Linezolid