title: Impact of switching from intravenous to oral linezolid therapy in Japanese patients: a retrospective cohort study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  High oral bioavailability of antimicrobial agents can result in the replacement of intravenous (IV) therapy with oral therapy when a patient meets defined clinical criteria. However, few studies have evaluated the effects of switching antibiotic administration route in Japan, especially for linezolid. This study evaluated an IV-to-oral antibiotic switching program for linezolid treatment at a university hospital in Japan.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a retrospective cohort study of 73 patients, we assessed the efficacy and safety of IV-to-oral linezolid therapy (n= 21 patients) compared with IV therapy alone (n= 52 patients).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Duration of linezolid treatment, changes in C-reactive protein or platelet count from baseline, re-administration of anti-methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureusagent within 90 days of discharge, and mortality within 28 days of discharge were not significantly different between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An IV-to-oral switching program could reduce the duration of IV linezolid therapy without worsening clinical outcomes in Japanese patients receiving linezolid therapy.
authors: Division of Pharmacy, Ehime University Hospital, 454 Shitsukawa, Toon, Ehime 791-0295 Japan.
authors: Akihiro
authors: A
authors: Tanaka
authors: Division of Pharmacy, Ehime University Hospital, 454 Shitsukawa, Toon, Ehime 791-0295 Japan.
authors: Akiko
authors: A
authors: Yano
authors: Division of Pharmacy, Ehime University Hospital, 454 Shitsukawa, Toon, Ehime 791-0295 Japan.
authors: Shinichi
authors: S
authors: Watanabe
authors: Division of Pharmacy, Ehime University Hospital, 454 Shitsukawa, Toon, Ehime 791-0295 Japan.
authors: Mamoru
authors: M
authors: Tanaka
authors: Division of Pharmacy, Ehime University Hospital, 454 Shitsukawa, Toon, Ehime 791-0295 Japan.
authors: Hiroaki
authors: H
authors: Araki
keywords: Cost; Linezolid; Switching therapy