Article Text
Abstract
Background Linezolid is an antibiotic used to treat pneumonia and some infections of the skin or subcutaneous tissue.
Purpose To describe the cohort of patients receiving outpatient treatment with oral linezolid in a tertiary hospital.
Material and methods A retrospective study was conducted in patients referred to the outpatient pharmacy consultation (OPC) for treatment with linezolid on discharge from hospital from January 2015 to January 2016. Variables included: age, sex, prescriber service, dosage, indication, duration, microbiology, adverse reactions, interactions and whether any intervention was made. The information was collected through medical history (Diraya), Farmatools and drugs.
Results 16 patients were on oral linezolid (5 women, 11 men), median age 65 years (50–88). Clinical judgement: 7 diabetic foot, 3 osteoarticular infections, 2 wound dehiscence, 2 pressure ulcer, 1 bacteraemia (digestive focus) and 1 peritonitis (44% general surgery, 38% infectious diseases, 12% digestive and 6% traumatology). In 50% (8/16) of cases the treatment was conducted (microbiology tests previous prescription) and in 56% (9/16) was appropriate according to local guidelines. The indication less adjusted to the protocol was diabetic foot (2/7). Sequential therapy was 81% of cases and 54% came from linezolid iv. The mean duration of oral treatment was 10 days. A significant reductions in platelet count in 10/11 patients was detected with a mean decrease of 128.3 platelets/μL after treatment without requiring suspension. There was no analytical follow-up of 5 patients. There were 13 patients with more that 3 drugs as home treatment, 11 had interactions with linezolid, 54% being major interactions. 4 interventions were performed by the pharmacy which were accepted.
Conclusion Our study highlights the high risk of interactions, especially those considered ‘major’. There seems to be an acceptable tolerance despite low analytical control of post-treatment by some prescribers so it is appropriate to insist on the pharmacotherapy follow-up of these patients.
References and/or acknowledgements Guia antibioticoterapia Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena.
No conflict of interest