Linezolid with Phenylpropanolamine Interaction Details
Brand Names Associated with Linezolid
- Linezolid
- Zyvox®

Medical Content Editor Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Last updated
Nov 13, 2023
Interaction Effect
An increase in blood pressure
Interaction Summary
Concomitant use of linezolid and indirectly acting sympathomimetic agents, such as phenylpropanolamine, is contraindicated in the absence of monitoring for potential blood pressure increases. Linezolid is a reversible, nonselective inhibitor of monoamine oxidase and may therefore interact with phenylpropanolamine. Patients may experience reversible enhancement of the pressor response to phenylpropanolamine.
Severity
Contraindicated
Onset
Rapid
Evidence
Probable
How To Manage Interaction
Concomitant use of phenylpropanolamine and linezolid without monitoring for potential increases in blood pressure is contraindicated, as concomitant use of linezolid and phenylpropanolamine may cause an increase in blood pressure in normotensive patients. Although this enhanced pressor response is reversible, use caution when administering linezolid and medications containing phenylpropanolamine, such as decongestants and cold remedies.
Mechanism Of Interaction
Inhibition of phenylpropanolamine metabolism
Literature Reports
A) Plasma concentration and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of phenylpropanolamine were increased when coadministered with linezolid. Participants received 2 doses of phenylpropanolamine (or matching placebo) 4 hours apart, alone on days 1, and with concomitantly administered linezolid tablets 600 mg (every 12 hours on days 4 to 9) on days 7 and 9. Linezolid has minimal effect on the pharmacokinetics of phenylpropanolamine with increases of 30% (p=0.0001) in AUC and 20% (p=0.0006) in Cmax for phenylpropanolamine. The pharmacokinetic parameters of linezolid were not changed significantly when administered with phenylpropanolamine. Statistically significant increases in systolic blood pressure were observed as compared to placebo. This population of patients was minimally affected by the level of sympathomimetic potentiation due to linezolid. However, patients sensitive to the effects of increased blood pressure due to predisposing factors should be treated with linezolid and phenylpropanolamine cautiously .
Linezolid Overview
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Linezolid is used to treat infections, including pneumonia, and infections of the skin . Linezolid is in a class of antibacterials called oxazolidinones. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria.
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Antibiotics such as linezolid will not work for colds, flu, and other viral infections. Using antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.
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Definitions
Severity Categories
Contraindicated
These drugs, generally, should not be used together simultaneously due to the high risk of severe adverse effects. Combining these medications can lead to dangerous health outcomes and should be strictly avoided unless otherwise instructed by your provider.
Major
This interaction could result in very serious and potentially life-threatening consequences. If you are taking this drug combination, it is very important to be under close medical supervision to minimize severe side effects and ensure your safety. It may be necessary to change a medication or dosage to prevent harm.
Moderate
This interaction has the potential to worsen your medical condition or alter the effectiveness of your treatment. It's important that you are monitored closely and you potentially may need to make adjustments in your treatment plan or drug dosage to maintain optimal health.
Minor
While this interaction is unlikely to cause significant problems, it could intensify side effects or reduce the effectiveness of one or both medications. Monitoring for changes in symptoms and your condition is recommended, and adjustments may be made if needed to manage any increased or more pronounced side effects.
Onset
Rapid: Onset of drug interaction typically occurs within 24 hours of co-administration.
Delayed: Onset of drug interaction typically occurs more than 24 hours after co-administration.
Evidence
Level of documentation of the interaction.
Established: The interaction is documented and substantiated in peer-reviewed medical literature.
Theoretical: This interaction is not fully supported by current medical evidence or well-documented sources, but it is based on known drug mechanisms, drug effects, and other relevant information.
How To Manage The Interaction
Provides a detailed discussion on how patients and clinicians can approach the identified drug interaction as well as offers guidance on what to expect and strategies to potentially mitigate the effects of the interaction. This may include recommendations on adjusting medication dosages, altering the timing of drug administration, or closely monitoring for specific symptoms.
It's important to note that all medical situations are unique, and management approaches should be tailored to individual circumstances. Patients should always consult their healthcare provider for personalized advice and guidance on managing drug interactions effectively.
Mechanism Of Interaction
The theorized or clinically determined reason (i.e., mechanism) why the drug-drug interaction occurs.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding your specific circumstances and medical conditions.
Where Does Our Information Come From?
Information for our drug interactions is compiled from several drug compendia, including:
The prescribing information for each drug, as published on DailyMED, is also used.
Individual drug-drug interaction detail pages contain references specific to that interaction. You can click on the reference number within brackets '[]' to see what reference was utilized.
The information posted is fact-checked by HelloPharmacist clinicians and reviewed quarterly.