SUNY Orange
Middletown, New York
DEPARTMENT of NURSING
MEDICATION CARD
NAME:
generic name -linezolid
CLASSIFICATION:
trade names-Zyvox
Therapeutic class: anti-infectives
Pharmacologic class: oxazolidinones
ACTION: therapeutic effects- treat infections, including pneumonia, and infections of the skin
pharmacokinetics – absorption-rapidly and extensively absorbed following oral administration.
Distribution-readily distributes to well-perfused tissues.
Metabolism-65% metabolized, mostly by the liver, 30% excreted unchanged by the kidneys.
half-life- 6.4 hr.
Time/Action Peak- Duration – PO – Peak – 1-2 hr. Duration 12 hr.
IV- Peak: end of infusion; Duration: 12 hr.
CONTRAINDICATIONS AND PRECAUTIONS:
contraindicated in…Hypersensitivity, phenylketonuria
use cautiously in... Thrombocytopenia, patients on insulin or hypoglycemic drugs, seizures, lactic acidosis,
hypertension when used with adrenergic drugs.
ADVERSE REACTIONS AND SIDE EFFECTS:
life threatening reactions are in CAPITAL LETTERS:
most frequent reactions are underlined
: TOXIC EPIDERMAL NECROLYSIS
Diarrhea, fast heartbeat, nausea, vomiting, and taste alteration
INTERACTIONS:
drug to drug: increase of hypertensive response with MAO inhibitors, sympathomimetics, vasopressor, and
dopaminergic agents.
drug to food: because of monoamine oxidase inhibitory properties, consumption of large amounts of foods or beverages
containing tyramine should be avoided.
ROUTE AND DOSAGE:
- Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecium Infections: PO IV (Adults): 600 mg every 12 hr. for 14–28 days.
- Pneumonia, Complicated Skin/Skin Structure Infections: PO IV (Adults): 600 mg every 12 hr. for 10–14 days.
- Uncomplicated Skin/Skin Structure Infections: PO (Adults): 400 mg every 12 hr. for 10–14 days.
NURSING IMPLICATIONS:
assessment – general- Assess for infection (vital signs; appearance of wound, sputum, urine, and stool; WBC) at
beginning of and during therapy.
Toxicity- Monitor bowel function. Diarrhea, abdominal cramping, fever, and bloody stools should be
reported to health care professional promptly as a sign of Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD). May begin up to
several wks. following cessation of therapy.
lab test considerations:
potential nursing diagnoses May cause bone marrow suppression, anemia, leukopenia, pancytopenia. Monitor CBC and
platelet count weekly, especially in patients at risk for increased bleeding, having pre-existing bone marrow suppression, receiving
concurrent medications that may cause myelosuppression, or requiring >2 wk of therapy. Discontinue therapy if bone marrow
suppression occurs or worsens.
implementation – general: High Alert: Do not confuse Zyvox with Zovirax (acyclovir).
according to each method of administration: Intermittent Infusion: Dilution: Premixed infusions are
already diluted and ready to use. Solution is yellowish in color which may intensify over time without affecting its potency.
Concentration: 2 mg/mL.
Rate: Infuse over 30–120 min. Flush line before and after infusion.
Compatibility: Y-Site Compatibility:
- acyclovir
- alemtuzumab
- alfentanil
client/family teaching factors: instruct patients taking oral linezolid to take as directed, for full course of therapy, even
if feeling better. Take missed doses as soon as remembered unless almost time for next dose; do not double dose.
evaluation of medications effectiveness: Resolution of signs and symptoms of infection. Length of time for complete
resolution depends on organism and site of infection
ASSESSMENTS:
My client is using this medication because it’s an antibiotic to kill the bacterial infection she has . R/T UTI.