Publication:

Association between serum linezolid concentration and haematological toxic effects: a longitudinal study

Background Linezolid is a commonly used antibiotic and reported various drug related adverse effects mainly haematological toxicity like thrombocytopenia, leukopenia and anaemia. But a significant association between linezolid plasma concentration and drug related adverse effects are not documented yet. This longitudinal observational study aims to study the incidence of drug related haematological toxicities and its association with serum Linezolid concentration and also evaluate the clinical outcome.

Methods After obtaining informed consent, each patient (18-50years) was given linezolid (600mg/12hourly), and evaluated for haematological (haemoglobin, platelets, WBCs), renal (as serum creatinine), and hepatic (as serum transaminases status), together with an assessment of drug C min values. These evaluations were repeated once a week or in concomitance with the development of an adverse event up to the end of linezolid therapy. The parametric dependent ‘t’ test was applied (p 10mg/L at the end of 14days.

Conclusions The capability to monitor plasma linezolid concentration (C min; trough value) once a week may lead to a significant improvement in clinical use of the drug both in terms of efficacy and tolerability as the study observed that there is association between linezolid concentration and risk of developing drug related haematological toxicity.