Linezolid for Treatment of Chronic Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis

There are limited therapeutic options for extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis. In this study from South Korea, linezolid was shown to have some activity in treating resistant tuberculosis; however, its use was associated with clinically significant toxicity. Linezolid (Zyvox, Pfizer) was approved in 2000 for drug-resistant, gram-positive bacterial infections. 1 A member of the oxazolidinone antibiotic class, linezolid inhibits protein synthesis by binding the 23S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) portion of the bacterial 50S ribosomal subunit. 2 In adults, linezolid is administered at a dose of 600 mg twice daily, with phase 3 and postmarketing trials showing an acceptable side-effect and adverse-event profile during the FDA-approved 28 days of therapy. 3 Data on longer-term use are limited, but serious neuropathies (e.g., peripheral and optic neuropathies), myelosuppression, and hyperlactatemia have been observed 4 , 5 and are considered to be related to the inhibition . . .