The Effectiveness and Safety of Oral Linezolid as Primary or Secondary Treatment of Bloodstream Infections: A Retrospective Observational Analysis

The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness and safety of oral linezolid as treatment of primary or secondary bloodstream infection. A retrospective observational analysis was completed on all patients who received at least 7 days of oral linezolid between June 2000 and December 2002. Twenty-four patients received 25 courses of oral linezolid for bloodstream infections. Microbiologic cure was documented in 21 (84%) of 25 patients who received at least 7 days of therapy. The most common adverse event was thrombocytopenia (13%). Orally administered linezolid offers the clinician an alternative to parenteral therapy for serious gram-positive coccal infections. A wide margin of safety was noted when therapy was limited to a mean of 14 days.