Linezolid Injection and Sumatriptan: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Sumatriptan
Linezolid 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 serotonin syndrome (hypertension, hyperthermia, myoclonus, mental status changes)
Interaction Deep Dive
Coadministration of sumatriptan and an MAOI, specifically an MAO-A inhibitor, or use of sumatriptan within 2 weeks of discontinuation of an MAO-A inhibitor is contraindicated. Wait at least 14 days after discontinuing an MAO-A inhibitor before initiating sumatriptan and at least 14 days after discontinuing sumatriptan before initiating therapy with an MAO-A inhibitor1234.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Inhibition of monoamine oxidase and increased serotonergic effect
Literature reports
3 reports — tap to read
a) In a study involving 14 healthy female subjects, pretreatment with an MAO-A inhibitor decreased the clearance of sumatriptan. A 2-fold increase in the sumatriptan AUC, corresponding to a 40% increase in elimination half-life, was noted 1234. In vitro studies with human microsomes suggested that sumatriptan is metabolized predominantly by MAO-A, and inhibitors of the MAO-A enzyme may increase systemic exposure of sumatriptan 3. The studies suggested MAO-B inhibitor did not cause a significant effect 23.
b) An approximately 7-fold increase in sumatriptan systemic exposure was noted when patients were given a sumatriptan 25-mg oral tablet following pretreatment with an MAO-A inhibitor in one small study 23.
c) At a large headache clinic, a retrospective chart review of 325 patients receiving sumatriptan and other antidepressants, beta-blockers, or calcium channel blockers for treatment of migraine was conducted. All 3 groups were compared and no statistically significant difference in pulse rate and blood pressure were noted. Headache recurrence rates were the same between groups. Significant adverse events were experienced by 2 patients. One patient received phenelzine 45 mg daily and sumatriptan while the second patient received sumatriptan alone. Both experienced abrupt decreases in blood pressure and pulse rate within minutes after the 6 mg subcutaneous administration of sumatriptan. In each case, the patient's vital signs returned to normal within 30 minutes 5.
Common questions
Can I take Linezolid Injection and Sumatriptan together?
Increased risk of serotonin syndrome (hypertension, hyperthermia, myoclonus, mental status changes) Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Linezolid Injection and Sumatriptan interaction?
It is rated contraindicated. These should generally not be used together.
How quickly could this interaction happen?
The documented onset is "unspecified". The timing of this interaction is not well characterized.
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 Linezolid Injection or Sumatriptan 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 (5)
- Product Information: ZECUITY(TM) topical iontophoretic transdermal system, sumatriptan topical iontophoretic transdermal system. NuPathe Inc. (per manufacturer), Conshohocken, PA, 2013. DailyMed
- Product Information: IMITREX(R) nasal spray, sumatriptan nasal spray. GlaxoSmithKline (Per FDA), Research Triangle Park, NC, 2012. DailyMed
- Product Information: IMITREX(R) oral tablets, sumatriptan succinate oral tablets. GlaxoSmithKline (per FDA), Research Triangle Park, NC, 2012. DailyMed
- Product Information: IMITREX(R) subcutaneous injection, sumatriptan succinate subcutaneous injection. GlaxoSmithKline (per FDA), Research Triangle Park, NC, 2012. DailyMed
- Diamond S, Freitag DO, & Diamond ML: Sumatriptan in patients on MAOIs (Abstract). Clin Pharmacol Ther 1995; 57:202.
Keep reading about Sumatriptan
Keep reading about Linezolid Injection
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