Monitoring patients on linezolid

The CSM recommend that full blood counts are monitored weekly in patients who receive linezolid. The CSM also recommend close monitoring in patients who:

• receive more than 10-14 days of treatment with linezolid
• who receive linezolid treatment and have pre-existing myelosuppression
• have severe renal insufficiency
• are concomitantly being treated with other medication that may adversely affect haemoglobin levels, blood counts or platelet function

"If significant myelosuppression occurs during linezolid treatment, therapy should be stopped unless it is considered essential, in which case intensive monitoring of blood counts and appropriate management strategies should be implemented (1)."