Clinical pharmacokinetics of linezolid, a novel oxazolidinone antibacterial.

Linezolid is the first antibacterial to be approved from the oxazolidinone class. The drug has substantial antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive organisms such as streptococci, staphylococci and enterococci, including species resistant to conventional antibacterial treatment. Linezolid is fully bioavailable following oral administration when compared with intravenous administration.

A review and assessment of potential sources of ethnic differences in drug responsiveness.

The International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) E5 guidelines were developed to provide a general framework for evaluating the potential impact of ethnic factors on the acceptability of foreign clinical data, with the underlying objective to facilitate global drug development and registration. It is well recognized that all drugs exhibit significant inter-subject variability in pharmacokinetics and pharmacologic response and that such differences vary considerably among individual drugs and depend on a variety of factors. One such potential factor involves ethnicity.

Pharmacokinetics of linezolid in subjects with renal dysfunction.

Linezolid is a member of a new, unique class of synthetic antibacterial agents called oxazolidinones that are effective against gram-positive bacteria, including vancomycin-resistant organisms. We tested the hypothesis that the linezolid clearance would not be altered in subjects with renal dysfunction. Twenty-four subjects with renal function that ranged from normal to severe chronic impairment were enrolled, including patients with end-stage renal disease who were maintained on hemodialysis.

Pharmacokinetics and tolerance of single- and multiple-dose oral or intravenous linezolid, an oxazolidinone antibiotic, in healthy volunteers.

Aims: To determine the pharmacokinetics and tolerance of oral and intravenous linezolid, an oxazolidinone antibiotic, in healthy volunteers following single- and multiple-dose administration.

Methods: In two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-escalating trials, subjects were exposed either to oral (375, 500 or 625 mg) or intravenous (500 or 625 mg) linezolid or placebo twice daily. Serial blood and urine samples were obtained after the first- and multiple-dose administrations for up to 18 days.