Entacapone and Linezolid: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Linezolid
Entacapone
How we grade severity & evidence
Severity levels
- Contraindicated: These should generally not be used together.
- Major: Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
- Moderate: Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
- Minor: Usually limited clinical impact.
Evidence grades
- Established: Well documented — supported by controlled studies or strong clinical data.
- Probable: Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
- Suspected: Some evidence suggests this interaction, but it is not well established.
- Possible: Limited or conflicting evidence; the interaction may occur.
- Theoretical: Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Ratings come from the documented interaction literature and are reviewed by a pharmacist. They describe the documented risk of the combination, not what will necessarily happen to you — your dose, timing, and health picture all matter.
What happens
Decreased catecholamine metabolism and risk for hypertensive crisis
Interaction Deep Dive
Coadministration of entacapone and a nonselective MAOI is contraindicated. Discontinue use of nonselective MAOIs at least 2 weeks prior to initiating treatment with entacapone1.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Inhibition of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) and monoamine oxidase (MAO)
Common questions
Can I take Entacapone and Linezolid together?
Decreased catecholamine metabolism and risk for hypertensive crisis Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Entacapone and Linezolid interaction?
It is rated contraindicated. These should generally not be used together.
How quickly could this interaction happen?
The documented onset is "rapid". Effects can appear quickly, often within about 24 hours of combining the drugs.
How strong is the evidence for this interaction?
The evidence is graded "theoretical". Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
From our Q&A
Real reader questions about these medications, each personally answered by our pharmacist:
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Entacapone or Linezolid need adjusting while I take them together?
- What symptoms should prompt me to call you or my prescriber right away?
- Does the timing of my doses matter for this combination?
- Is there a safer alternative to one of these medications for me?
References (1)
- Product Information: STALEVO(R) oral tablets, carbidopa levodopa entacapone oral tablets. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation (per FDA), East Hanover, NJ, 2014.
Keep reading about Linezolid
Keep reading about Entacapone
These medications also interact with supplements
Prescription drugs aren't the whole picture — herbal and dietary supplements can interact with them too. From the evidence-graded Natural Medicines database:
major · moderate · minor — check everything you take with our drug–supplement interaction checker.
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