Linezolid

Excerpt

Linezolid is a member of a new class of antibacterial agents called oxazolidinones, which are chemically unrelated to currently available agents. This drug selectively binds to the 50S ribosomal subunit, thereby resulting in selective inhibition of bacterial protein synthesis. Linezolid is bioavailable both orally and parenterally, is highly active against Gram-positive organisms, and is difficult to select for resistance in vitro. Given these attributes, linezolid will be an important addition to our therapeutic armamentarium for patients with a variety of infections including pneumonia, skin and skin structure infections and bacteraemia. The clinical and microbiological efficacy of linezolid has been demonstrated in multiple investigations in comparison with second and third generation cephalosporins, penicillinase-resistant penicillins, vancomycin and macrolides. …