There
are many different insulin preparations and supplies available in order to
create individualized regimens for patients.
Here are some tips and a checklist to help avoid getting future calls
from pharmacies.
Linezolid is an
oxazolidinone antibiotic (see more about its mechanism here) that is active against many gram-positive organisms
including those that are resistant to multiple other agents such as methicillin-resistant
staphylococci, penicillin-resistant streptococci, and vancomycin-resistant
enterococci. Linezolid is also a weak,
reversible, inhibitor of monoamine oxidase (MAO), predominantly MAO-A, which is
responsible for the metabolism of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, in the
brain. This effect has led to an
increased risk of serotonin syndrome in patients taking other medications that
increase serotonergic tone. SSRIs fall
in this category as they increase synaptic serotonin concentrations by
preventing transport into the presynaptic neuron. They are commonly prescribed for numerous
psychiatric conditions. Due to the high prevalence of both depressive disorders
and nosocomial infections in patients with chronic medical illnesses, this
medication combination may be encountered in the hospital setting. Though case reports are few, deaths have been
reported due to serotonin syndrome and a Food and Drug Administration Safety
Alert was issued in 2011 specifically warning about the linezolid-SSRI
interaction.
