What is Linezolid (4)?
Linezolid is the first of a new class of antibiotics, the oxazolidinones, which act by inhibiting protein synthesis. The mechanism of action of linezolid is unique since it has not been entirely defined though it is theorized to inhibit the initiation complex of bacterial protein synthesis. This is unlike other inhibitors of protein synthesis which interfere with protein synthesis in the elongation or termination stages. Zyvox ® is FDA approved for nosocomial pneumonia, complicated skin and skin structure infections (cSSI), diabetic foot infections without osteomyelitis, community aquired pneumonia and uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections (ucSSI). Linezolid has a broad spectrum of activity against gram-positive infections of which include MRSA, VRA, VRE, E. faecalis and E. faecium. In addition to its gram-positive coverage, linezolid has activity against some gram-negative and anaerobic bacteria such as Clostridium perfringens, C. difficile, Peptostreptocococcus species and
