Product information
About Lizol
Lizol contains linezolid, an antibiotic. It works by stopping certain bacteria from making the proteins they need to grow.
Lizol is used to treat infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria, including some that are resistant to other antibiotics, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). It is used for pneumonia caught in hospital or in the community, and for complicated skin and soft tissue infections.
Lizol is mainly used in adults. It does not work against Gram-negative bacteria, so your doctor may give you another antibiotic as well. Lizol infusion is given into a vein by a doctor or nurse.
How to use
Use Lizol exactly as your doctor has told you.
- Adults: 600 mg twice a day (every 12 hours).
- Tablets: one 600 mg tablet twice a day. Oral suspension: 30 mL (600 mg) twice a day.
- Infusion: 600 mg (300 mL) given into a vein twice a day by a doctor or nurse. Your doctor may switch you from the infusion to tablets or suspension without changing the dose.
- A course of treatment usually lasts 10 to 14 days. The maximum length of treatment is 28 days.
Keep using Lizol for as long as your doctor tells you, even if you feel better. If a child needs linezolid, the doctor will decide whether it is suitable and work out the dose.
Composition
- Tablets
- Each tablet contains linezolid 600 mg.
- Oral suspension
- Each 5 mL contains linezolid 100 mg.
- Infusion
- Each mL contains linezolid 2 mg (600 mg in 300 mL).
- Pack sizes
- Tablets 600 mg; oral suspension 100 mg/5 mL; infusion 600 mg/300 mL.
Side effects and warnings
Like all medicines, Lizol can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The most common are diarrhoea, feeling sick (nausea), vomiting and headache.
- Do not use Lizol if you are allergic to linezolid, or if you are taking or have taken in the last two weeks a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) medicine. Avoid eating large amounts of tyramine-rich foods.
- Lizol can lower blood cell counts. Your doctor will check your blood regularly, usually every week, especially if you use it for more than 10 to 14 days.
- Tell your doctor straight away about any changes in your eyesight. Nerve problems affecting the eyes have mainly been reported with treatment longer than 28 days.
- Tell your doctor if you take other medicines that affect serotonin, such as some antidepressants, as serotonin syndrome can occur. Seek help quickly if you have repeated nausea or vomiting, stomach pain or fast breathing, which may be signs of lactic acidosis.
- If you get severe or long-lasting diarrhoea during or after treatment, tell your doctor straight away and do not take medicines that slow the bowel.
- Lizol should not be used in pregnancy unless clearly necessary. Stop breast-feeding before and during treatment. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, ask your doctor first.
Always read the patient information leaflet in the pack. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.