Linezolid induced hypoglycemia and anemia: A case report

• Published in: Clinical case reports Vol. 11; no. 8; pp. e7713 - n/a
• Main Authors: Lan, Xiao‐hua, Hu, Yue, Cao, Yan‐jie, Liu, Ping, Ren, Qi‐tao, Zhu, Wei‐wei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.08.2023; John Wiley and Sons Inc; Wiley
• Subjects: Acidosis; adverse reactions; Anemia; Antibiotics; Blood tests; Cardiovascular Disorders; Case Report; case reported; Case reports; Diabetes; Drug dosages; Drug resistance; Drug withdrawal; Geriatrics; Glucose; Hemoglobin; Hypoglycemia; Insulin; linezolid; Lungs; Multidrug resistant organisms; Pancreatitis; Patients; Protein synthesis; Proteins; Tuberculosis; case reported; linezolid; adverse reactions; anemia; hypoglycemia
• ISSN: 2050-0904; 2050-0904
• DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.7713

Key Clinical Message Linezolid (LZD) is an efficient addition antibiotic against multidrug‐resistant strains. However, clinicians should pay attention to the adverse reactions such as hypoglycemia and anemia in using LZD, especially in elderly patients and patients with abnormal liver and kidney function who need to use LZD for a long time. Severe hypoglycemia and anemia caused by linezolid (LZD) are rare, with potentially serious adverse effects. The report of LZD‐induced hypoglycemia and anemia is extremely rare. Thus far, this is the first report. We presented LZD‐induced recurrent hypoglycemia and anemia in a 93‐year‐old patient who has been prescribed LZD 600 mg once daily for 42 days for treatment of tuberculosis (TB) pleurisy and pneumonia. The patient began to experience recurrent hypoglycemic episodes and anemia 5 days and 2 weeks after LZD medication, respectively. Using Naranjo's Adverse Drug Reaction Assessment Scale, the patient scored 8 points with the category of “probable”. His hypoglycemia and anemia gradually improved 1 month after LZD withdrawal. Clinicians should pay attention to the adverse reactions such as hypoglycemia and anemia in using LZD, especially in elderly patients and patients with abnormal liver and kidney function who need to use LZD for a long time. Patients should regularly monitor blood routine, blood glucose, and liver and kidney functions during LZD exposure, which may avoid adverse reactions and improve their prognosis. Change in Hb during LZD therapy and withdrawal.