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Case Reports
. 2018 Jul 26:2018:bcr2018225480.
doi: 10.1136/bcr-2018-225480.

Linezolid-induced pancytopenia

Ross Leader  1   2 , James Hackett  1   2 , Anne Allan  3 , Paul Carter  4
Affiliations
Case Reports

Linezolid-induced pancytopenia

Ross Leader et al. BMJ Case Rep. .

Abstract

Linezolid is a bacteriostatic antibiotic of the Oxazolidinone class; it works by inhibiting the initiation of protein synthesis on bacterial ribosomes. Due to its excellent bioavailability after oral dosing, it has become an important tool in combating multi-drug-resistant bacteria including glycopeptide-resistant enterococci and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Side effects are multiple and potentially serious. We report the case of an 87-year-old man who developed pancytopenia secondary to a 6-week course of linezolid. Withdrawal of the antibiotic was decided as the treatment and resolution of the pancytopenia was evident within 2 weeks. Clinicians should be aware of this side effect of linezolid therapy and that weekly full blood count monitoring is paramount.

Keywords: drug therapy related to surgery; safety; unwanted effects / adverse reactions.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

References

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