Linezolid interaction risk?

Linezolid interaction risk?

• A. Serotonin syndrome
• B. Hyperkalemia
• C. Hypoglycemia
• D. Hypothyroidism

Answer: (A)

Linezolid can cause serotonin syndrome because it acts as a reversible, nonselective monoamine oxidase inhibitor. By inhibiting MAO, it raises serotonin levels, and when used with other drugs that boost serotonin—such as SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, MAO inhibitors, triptans, tramadol, or certain pain meds—the risk of serotonin syndrome increases. Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening condition with agitation, confusion, fever, autonomic instability, and neuromuscular changes. The other options don’t reflect linezolid’s main interaction risk, since hyperkalemia, hypoglycemia, and hypothyroidism are not characteristic effects of this mechanism. In practice, avoid combining linezolid with serotonergic medications or ensure appropriate washout and monitoring if a combination is unavoidable.

Linezolid can cause serotonin syndrome because it acts as a reversible, nonselective monoamine oxidase inhibitor. By inhibiting MAO, it raises serotonin levels, and when used with other drugs that boost serotonin—such as SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, MAO inhibitors, triptans, tramadol, or certain pain meds—the risk of serotonin syndrome increases. Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening condition with agitation, confusion, fever, autonomic instability, and neuromuscular changes. The other options don’t reflect linezolid’s main interaction risk, since hyperkalemia, hypoglycemia, and hypothyroidism are not characteristic effects of this mechanism. In practice, avoid combining linezolid with serotonergic medications or ensure appropriate washout and monitoring if a combination is unavoidable.