Linezolid

(S)- N-(( 3 - (3 -fluoro-4 -(4- morpholinyl) phenyl) -2-oxo -5 -oxazolidinyl ) methyl ) acetamide

J01XX08

Oxazolidinones

Inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis

Template: Infobox chemical / molecular formula search available

Linezolid ( Zyvox ® trade name, trademark, manufacturer, Pfizer ) is an antibiotic belonging to the group of the oxazolidinones, one of the newest available antibiotics groups.

Pharmacology

Mechanism of Action

Linezolid acts by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis at the 50S subunit of the bacterial ribosome. These hindered, in contrast to other antibiotics already the start of protein synthesis.

Application and action spectrum

In the area caused by gram-positive bacterial infections linezolid has become, within a short time at a very important new reserve antibiotic. Linezolid is the only intravenously and orally available MRSA - effective antibiotics. It does next to the introduced decades ago MRSA standard antibiotic vancomycin today an important role especially in severe MRSA hospital-acquired infections and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.

• Range of sensitive bacteria: Staphylococcus, including S. aureus, including methicillin- resistant strains (MRSA ), enterococci including vancomycin - resistant strains ( VRE), streptococci including penicillin - resistant strains
• Clinical Application: Linezolid is approved for the treatment nosocomial and community-acquired pneumonia, as well as
• Serious skin and soft tissue infections ( when microbiological testing has shown that infection by linezolid - susceptible Gram - positive pathogens is caused ).

Side effects

Side effects are bone marrow suppression and thus thrombocytopenia, anemia, neutropenia. Also reported by headache and gastrointestinal irritation.

Interactions

Linezolid increased by inhibition of monoamine oxidase serotonin levels in the central nervous system. As a result, the serotonin -enhancing drugs, such as the widespread SSRI antidepressants of the type occur in co-medication with other potentially life-threatening serotonin syndrome.

Pharmacokinetics

Linezolid can be given intravenously or orally -administered without dose adjustments, and independent of food intake. It is 100% bioavailable. Recommended doses and oral administration, peak plasma levels occur after one to two hours above the inhibitory concentrations for the most important gram-positive pathogens. For intravenous administration, even after 30 minutes. The half-life is approximately 5 hours.

History

The group of oxazolidinones was conducted by researchers EI duPont de Nemours developed and published in 1987. The oxazolidinones were originally developed against plant pathogenic bacteria in agriculture. But it turned out soon that oxazolidinones also act bacteriostatic on human pathogenic staphylococci and enterococci and are bactericidal for streptococci. The pharmaceutical company Upjohn developed the substance linezolid. Upjohn is after several acquisitions and mergers now part of Pfizer. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration ( FDA) granted in April 2000, the authorization for linezolid.

In 2003, linezolid was awarded the Galen von Pergamon Prize.