Haematological adverse effects associated with linezolid in patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis: an exploratory study

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to identify the incidence of haematological adverse effects associated with linezolid. Medical records of 27 hospitalised patients in South Africa with drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) and prescribed linezolid therapy were retrospectively reviewed. Approximately a quarter (n = 7) of patients experienced haematological adverse effects. These included anaemia (14.8%; n = 4), low haemoglobin (7.4%; n = 2) and macrocytosis (3.7%; n = 1). All patients who exhibited haematological adverse effects were living with HIV. The haematological effects of linezolid manifested in patients who were suffering from co-morbid HIV. Haematological monitoring should be done monthly in order to detect adverse effects timeously and intervene as appropriate.