Kava and Linezolid Injection: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Kava
No brand names on recordLinezolid Injection
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
Increased risk of adverse effects from excessive monoamine oxidase inhibition
Interaction Deep Dive
Theoretically, patients taking kava with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) may be at risk of increased toxicity associated with excessive inhibition of monoamine amine oxidase. Kava reversibly inhibited MAO in vitro1. Certain kavapyrones also reduced the uptake of norepinephrine by hippocampus synaptosomes 2.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Additive monoamine oxidase inhibition
Literature reports
1 report — tap to read
a) Kava reversibly inhibited MAO (B) in intact platelets (IC50 1.2 micromole (mcmol)) in venous blood of healthy subjects. The constituents of kava evaluated individually were found in the following order of potency: desmethoxyangonin greater than (+)-methysticin greater than yangonin greater than (+)-dihydromethysticin greater than (+)-dihydrokavain greater than (+)-kavain. The percent inhibition of MAO (B) activity in nondiluted platelet homogenates was 98.2% with (-)-deprenyl versus 66.7% with (+)-methysticin 1.
Common questions
Can I take Kava and Linezolid Injection together?
Increased risk of adverse effects from excessive monoamine oxidase inhibition Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Kava and Linezolid Injection interaction?
It is rated major. Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
How quickly could this interaction happen?
The documented onset is "delayed". Effects tend to build up gradually over days to weeks.
How strong is the evidence for this interaction?
The evidence is graded "theoretical". Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Kava or Linezolid Injection 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 (2)
- Uebelhack R, Franke L, & Schewe HJ: Inhibition of platelet MAO-B by kava pyrone-enriched extract from Piper methysticum Forster (kava-kava). Pharmacopsychiatry 1998; 31(5):187-192. PubMed
- Seitz U, Schule A, & Gleitz J: (3H)-Monoamine uptake inhibition properties of kava pyrones. Planta Med 1997; 63:548-549.
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