Linezolid, a synthetic oxazolidinone antibiotic, is frequently used for the treatment of serious gram-positive infections including Staphylococcus aureus and enterococci. It is also commonly used as part of long-term treatment regimens for mycobacterial infections, nocardiosis and prosthetic joint and bone infections. While its high oral bioavailability and targeted spectrum make it valuable, its narrow therapeutic index, variable pharmacokinetics, and potential for exposure-dependent toxicity underline the importance of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM). TDM can assist in personalizing dosing to maximize efficacy (clinical outcomes) while minimizing linezolid-induced adverse effects.
The Value of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Linezolid