Is Zyvox (linezolid) available in an oral form?

Is Zyvox Available in Oral Form?

Yes, Zyvox (linezolid) is available in oral formulations, including tablets and oral suspension, with 100% bioavailability that is identical to intravenous administration. 1

Available Oral Formulations

Linezolid is supplied in the following oral forms 1:

• Tablets: Available in 400 mg and 600 mg strengths 1
• Oral Suspension: 100 mg per 5 mL after constitution 1

Key Pharmacokinetic Advantages

The oral bioavailability of linezolid is approximately 100%, allowing seamless switching between intravenous and oral administration without changing the drug or dosage regimen. 2, 3

• Maximum plasma concentrations are achieved 1-2 hours after oral administration 3
• Food slightly decreases the rate but not the extent of absorption 3
• The area under the plasma concentration curve is identical after oral and IV administration 4

Clinical Dosing

The standard oral dosing regimens are 1:

• Adults and adolescents (≥12 years): 600 mg orally every 12 hours for most serious infections 1
• Adults with uncomplicated skin infections: 400 mg orally every 12 hours 1
• Pediatric patients (<12 years): 10 mg/kg orally every 8 hours 1

Clinical Applications of Oral Therapy

Oral linezolid is recommended as first-line therapy for MRSA skin and soft tissue infections due to excellent tissue penetration and high clinical cure rates. 5

• The Infectious Diseases Society of America recommends oral linezolid 600 mg twice daily as a treatment option for complicated skin and soft tissue infections 6
• Oral therapy enables earlier hospital discharge, with an average of 3 days shorter hospital stay compared to IV vancomycin 7
• Linezolid offers the advantage of early IV-to-oral switch with maintained excellent tissue penetration 7, 8

Practical Clinical Benefits

The ability to administer linezolid orally makes it particularly useful as an alternative to vancomycin in patients who have poor IV access, require outpatient therapy, or have impaired renal function. 2

• Daily costs of outpatient therapy are lower with oral linezolid than with IV vancomycin 7
• No dosage adjustment is necessary when switching from IV to oral administration 1
• Patients whose therapy is started with IV linezolid may be switched to oral formulations at the physician's discretion when clinically indicated 1

Important Caveats

• Patients taking serotonergic medications should be cautious due to risk of serotonin syndrome, as linezolid is a mild, reversible monoamine oxidase inhibitor 5, 3
• Gastrointestinal adverse effects are relatively common with oral linezolid 2
• Duration-dependent, reversible thrombocytopenia can occur 9