Administration
Administer orally or by IV infusion.
When clinically appropriate, IV route may be switched to oral without dosage adjustment.
Avoid large quantities of foods or beverages with high tyramine content during linezolid treatment. (See Monoamine Oxidase Inhibition under Cautions.)
Oral Administration
Administer orally without regard to meals.
Reconstitution
Reconstitute powder for oral suspension at time of dispensing by adding amount of water specified on bottle to provide a suspension containing 100 mg/5 mL. After tapping bottle gently to loosen the powder, add water in 2 portions and agitate well after each addition.
Prior to administration of each dose, gently mix suspension by inverting bottle 3–5 times; do not shake.
IV Administration
For solution and drug compatibility information, see Compatibility under Stability.
Single-use containers of linezolid injection for IV infusion should be administered without further dilution. Do not use the containers in series connections; do not introduce additives into the solution.
Rate of Administration
Administer by IV infusion over 30–120 minutes.
Dosage
Safety and efficacy of >28 days of linezolid treatment not evaluated in controlled clinical trials.
Pediatric Patients
General Dosage for Neonates
Oral or IV
Neonates: Manufacturer recommends 10 mg/kg every 12 hours initially in premature neonates <7 days of age; may consider 10 mg/kg every 8 hours in those with inadequate response. Manufacturer recommends 10 mg/kg every 8 hours in all neonates ≥7 days of age.
Neonates ≤7 days of age: AAP recommends 10 mg/kg every 12 hours in those weighing ≤2 kg and 10 mg/kg every 8 hours in those weighing >2 kg.
Neonates 8–28 days of age: AAP recommends 10 mg/kg every 8 hours, regardless of weight.
General Dosage for Infants and Children
Oral or IV
Manufacturer recommends 10 mg/kg every 8 hours in infants and children through 11 years of age and 600 mg every 12 hours in adolescents ≥12 years of age.
AAP recommends 10 mg/kg 3 times daily in children <12 years of age and 600 mg twice daily in adolescents ≥12 years of age.
Respiratory Tract Infections
Community-acquired or Nosocomial Pneumonia
Children 7 days through 11 years of age: 10 mg/kg every 8 hours for 10–14 days.
Adolescents ≥12 years of age: 600 mg every 12 hours for 10–14 days.
CAP or healthcare-associated pneumonia caused by MRSA: IDSA recommends 7–21 days of treatment.
Skin and Skin Structure Infections
Uncomplicated Skin and Skin Structure Infections
Children 7 days through 4 years of age: 10 mg/kg every 8 hours for 10–14 days.
Children 5 through 11 years of age: 10 mg/kg every 12 hours for 10–14 days.
Adolescents ≥12 years of age: 600 mg every 12 hours for 10–14 days.
Complicated Skin and Skin Structure Infections
Children 7 days through 11 years of age: 10 mg/kg every 8 hours for 10–14 days.
Adolescents ≥12 years of age: 600 mg every 12 hours for 10–14 days.
Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium Infections
Oral or IV
Children 7 days through 11 years of age: 10 mg/kg every 8 hours for 14–28 days.
Adolescents ≥12 years of age: 600 mg every 12 hours for 14–28 days.
CNS Infections Caused by MRSA†
Oral or IV
10 mg/kg (up to 600 mg) every 8 hours recommended by IDSA.
Adults
Respiratory Tract Infections
Community-acquired or Nosocomial Pneumonia
600 mg every 12 hours for 10–14 days.
CAP or healthcare-associated pneumonia caused by MRSA: IDSA recommends 7–21 days of treatment.
Skin and Skin Structure Infections
Uncomplicated Skin and Skin Structure Infections
400 mg every 12 hours for 10–14 days.
Purulent or nonpurulent cellulitis caused by MRSA: IDSA recommends 600 mg twice daily for 5–10 days; duration depends on clinical response.
Complicated Skin and Skin Structure Infections
600 mg every 12 hours for 10–14 days.
Complicated infections caused by MRSA: IDSA recommends 7–14 days of treatment; duration depends on clinical response.
Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium Infections
Oral or IV
600 mg every 12 hours for 14–28 days.
CNS Infections Caused by MRSA†
Oral or IV
600 mg every 12 hours recommended by IDSA.
Special Populations
Hepatic Impairment
Mild to moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class A or B): Dosage adjustments not needed.
Severe hepatic impairment: Pharmacokinetics not evaluated.
Renal Impairment
Dosage adjustments not needed. Consider that linezolid metabolites may accumulate in patients with renal impairment; clinical importance unknown. (See Renal Impairment under Cautions.)
Hemodialysis patients: Administer linezolid doses after dialysis session.
Geriatric Patients
Dosage adjustments not needed.
 Detailed Linezolid dosage information
