The usual dosage for pneumonia is 600mg twice daily (with or without food) for 7 to 21 days depending on the severity of the infection.

Linezolid is an antibiotic which is part of a new class of antibiotics, the oxazolidinones.  Because its mechanism of action is different than other antibiotics, it can be used when resistance has developed to more traditional antibiotics.

Side effects may include:

• Headache 
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Change in taste
• Fungal infection eg oralt hrush or vaginal yeast infection
• Tongue discoloration
• Fever
• Insomnia
• Constipation
• Rash
• Dry mouth
• Stomach discomfort
• Increased thirst
• High blood sugar (blurred vision, unusual thirst, increased frequency and amount of urination, a fruit-like breath odor, rapid breathing)
• Low blood sugar (dizziness, headache, feeling sleepy, feeling weak, shaking, a fast heartbeat, confusion, hunger, or sweating)
• Ringing in the ear
• High blood pressure (watch your blood pressure closely)

Using linezolid should be avoided in:

• allergies to linezolid
• uncontrolled high blood pressure
• pheochromocytoma 
• overactive thyroid

Discuss use of linezolid with physician/pharmacist if:

• history of high blood pressure.
• you have taken a drug fo (depressin) within the last 2 weeks (14 days).
• history of anemia or any other blood related problems.
• history of bleeding problems.
• history of seizures or convulsions.
• you have diabetes

Avoid taking linezolid with tyramine, a chemical naturally present in some pickled, smoked, or fermented foods or drinks like aged cheeses and red wines. This interaction may cause a sudden increase in your blood pressure. If you develop a throbbing headache after eating or drinking, tell your healthcare professional. To prevent these problems, get a list of tyramine-rich foods to avoid from your healthcare professional.

Drug interactions:

Do not take linezolid if you:

• have taken isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine,selegiline or rasagiline in the last 14 days
• are taking any cold or flu medication containing pseudoephedrine, epinephrine, or norepinephrine,
• are taking dopamine or dobutamine
• are taking selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI’s) (e.g., citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline) or serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) (e.g., desvenlafaxine, duloxetine, venlafaxine). 
• are taking tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, clomipramine,desipramine,doxepin,imipramine,nortriptyline
• are taking medications for migraine such as almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan,rizatriptan,sumatriptan,zolmitriptan
• are taking meperidine or buspirone

Pregnancy: Information related to linezolid use during pregnancy is limited. and therefore, other antibiotics are preferred

Breastfeeding: Linezolid is excreted into breast milk. The manufacturer advises caution.