Zyvox vs. Vancomycin
Are Zyvox and Vancomycin the Same Thing?
Zyvox (linezolid) and vancomycin are antibacterial drugs used to treat susceptible Gram-positive infections (for example, Staphylococcus).
Vancomycin is also used to treat Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea.
Side effects of Zyvox and vancomycin that are similar include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and headache.
Side effects of Zyvox that are different from vancomycin include sleep problems (insomnia), constipation, dizziness, discolored tongue, unusual or unpleasant taste in the mouth, vaginal itching or discharge, and yeast infection in the mouth (oral thrush).
Side effects of vancomycin that are different from Zyvox include abdominal pain, low blood potassium (hypokalemia), gas, fever, swelling of extremities, fatigue, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and back pain.
Zyvox may interact with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), meperidine, diet pills, stimulants, cold or allergy medicines, ADHD medications, migraine or cluster headache medications, medications to treat Parkinson's disease or restless leg syndrome, antidepressants, or other medications used to treat depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric conditions.
Vancomycin may interact with other drugs.
What Are Possible Side Effects of Zyvox?
Common side effects of Zyvox include:
- diarrhea,
- nausea,
- vomiting,
- headache,
- sleep problems (insomnia),
- constipation,
- dizziness,
- discolored tongue,
- unusual or unpleasant taste in the mouth,
- vaginal itching or discharge, or
- yeast infection in the mouth (oral thrush).
Severe side effects of Zyvox include:
- severe diarrhea or diarrhea that is watery or bloody,
- fungal infections,
- low platelet count (thrombocytopenia),
- myelosuppression,
- serotonin syndrome,
- nerve problems,
- skin swelling (angioedema),
- fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, sores in your mouth and throat,
- easy bruising or bleeding, pale skin, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating,
- blurred vision, trouble seeing color,
- numbness, burning pain, or tingly feeling in your hands or feet,
- seizures (convulsions), or
- low blood sugar (headache, hunger, weakness, sweating, confusion, irritability, dizziness, fast heart rate, or feeling jittery).
What Are Possible Side Effects of Vancomycin?
Common side effects of Vancomycin include:
- serious allergic reactions (anaphylactoid reactions),
- including low blood pressure,
- wheezing,
- indigestion,
- hives, or
- itching.
- Rapid infusion of Vancomycin may also cause flushing of the upper body (called "red neck" or "red man syndrome"),
- dizziness,
- low blood pressure, or
- pain and muscle spasm of the chest and back.
What Is Zyvox?
Zyvox (linezolid) is an antibacterial drug used to treat susceptible Gram-positive infections (for example, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus spp.). Zyvox is available in other countries under the generic name linezolid.
What Is Vancomycin?
Vancomycin is an antibiotic indicated for the treatment of serious or severe infections caused by susceptible strains of methicillin-resistant (beta-lactam-resistant) staphylococci. Vancomycin is indicated for penicillin-allergic patients, for patients who cannot receive or who have failed to respond to other drugs, including the penicillins or cephalosporins, and for infections caused by Vancomycin susceptible organisms that are resistant to other antimicrobial drugs.
What Drugs Interact With Zyvox?
Zyvox may interact with MAO inhibitors, meperidine, diet pills, stimulants, cold or allergy medicines, ADHD medications, migraine or cluster headache medications, medications to treat Parkinson's disease or restless leg syndrome, antidepressants, or other medications used to treat depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric conditions. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.
What Drugs Interact With Vancomycin?
Vancomycin may interact with anesthetic agents, or other potentially neurotoxic and/or nephrotoxic drugs (such as amphotericin B, aminoglycosides, bacitracin, polymyxin B, colistin, viomycin, or cisplatin). Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when prescribed. Vancomycin passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
How Should Zyvox be Taken?
Zyvox (linezolid) is available in an IV form (strength is 2mg per ml), in tablets (strengths of 400 and 600mg) and in an oral suspension (strength is 100mg per 5ml). Dose depends on the form of the drug used, the type of infection and if the drug is used to treat children or adults; the treating doctor should determine the dose. This drug is not to be used to treat Gram-negative bacterial infections. Zyvox has been used in the pediatric population with weight-adjusted dosing.
How Should Vancomycin be Taken?
The usual daily intravenous adult dose of Vancomycin is 2 g divided either as 500 mg every 6 hours or 1 g every 12 hours.