Tedizolid
It is a drug (Brand name – Sivextro) that is in a class of drugs called oxazolidinone antibiotics. This drug is used to treat serious bacterial infections of the skin and works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth.
It was first approved by the U.S Food and Drug Administration in 2014.
Uses
It is usually prescribed to adults for the treatment of acute bacterial skin infections (ABSSSI) caused by susceptible isolates of a few Gram-positive bacteria.
Acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (like – major cutaneous abscesses, erysipelas or cellulitis, and wound infections) can be life-threatening and may require hospitalization.
Note – it will not work for flu, colds, and other viral infections.
Dosage
The usual recommended dose is 200 mg administered once per day for six days either orally or as an intravenous infusion in individuals 18 years of age or older.
Side Effects And Precautions
Common side effects may include:
- headaches;
- diarrhea;
- dizziness;
- vomiting;
- nausea.
Rare side effects may include:
- pain behind your eyes;
- severe stomach pain;
- vision problems;
- numbness in the hands or feet;
- diarrhea which is watery.
Before taking this medication, tell your healthcare professional:
- if you have any medical conditions;
- if you are allergic to similar medications;
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery;
- if you are breastfeeding;
- if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant;
- if you are taking herbal products, nutritional supplements, and vitamins;
- if you are taking other nonprescription and prescription medications.
Because it can cause dizziness, do not operate or drive heavy machinery until you know exactly how this medication affects you.
Linezolid
It is a drug (brand name – Zyvox) that belongs to the family of medications called antibiotics. It is used to treat pneumonia, skin infections, and infections of the blood. This antibiotic works by preventing bacteria from making proteins, that inhibits bacterial growth.
It is on the WHO’s List of Essential Medicines. It was discovered in the mid-1990s and was first approved for commercial use in 2000.
Uses
It is typically used to kill certain types of bacteria which cause infections in the lungs, abdomen, skin, urinary tract, and skin structure.
It is available for oral and intravenous administration and its activity is focused on Gram-positive bacteria, like – vancomycin-resistant enterococci, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Dosage
For children younger than 12 years of age, the usual recommended dose is based on body weight and must be determined by a healthcare professional. It is usually 10 mg per kilogram of body weight every 8 or 12 hours.
For adults and children 12 years of age and older, the usual recommended dosage is 400 or 600 mg every 12 hours.
Side Effects And Precautions
Common side effects may include:
- yeast infection in the mouth;
- vaginal itching or discharge;
- constipation;
- headaches;
- vomiting;
- dizziness;
- nausea;
- sleep problems;
- unusual or unpleasant taste in the mouth;
- discolored tongue.
Rare side effects may include:
- feeling jittery;
- sores in the mouth and throat;
- sweating;
- body aches;
- fast heart rate;
- fever;
- irritability;
- feeling light-headed or short of breath;
- confusion;
- trouble seeing color;
- weakness;
- easy bruising;
- unusual hunger;
- convulsions;
- diarrhea that is watery;
- a tingly feeling in the hands or feet;
- blurred vision;
- problems concentrating;
- rapid heart rate.
Before taking this antibiotic, tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had:
- an adrenal gland tumor;
- an infection which lasts a long time;
- allergies to any medications;
- type 2 diabetes mellitus;
- liver disease;
- if you are breastfeeding a baby;
- if you are pregnant or are planning to have a baby;
- kidney disease;
- seizures;
- immune system problems;
- an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism);
- high blood pressure;
- a condition where a tumor secretes serotonin (Carcinoid Syndrome).
Note – while you are taking this antibiotic, try to avoid eating mature cheese, yeast extracts, sauerkraut, broad bean pods, fava beans, papaya products, turkey, avocados, canned figs, pepperoni, salami, chicken liver, pickled herring, sour cream, bananas, raisins, yogurt, and soya bean products (like – soy sauce) as well as drinking beer and red wines. These foods interact with this antibiotic and may cause more side effects.
Tedizolid vs Linezolid – Which Is Better For Bacterial Infections Of The Skin?
Linezolid is an antibiotic that is used to treat infections in the skin, lungs, and blood. It is used in vancomycin-resistance conditions. It was the first oxazolidinone approved for the treatment of infections caused by Gram-positive pathogens, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
Tedizolid is a novel antibacterial prodrug with very effective activity against Gram-positive pathogens, like – Streptococcus pyogenes, methicillin-susceptible S. aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, coagulase-negative staphylococci, and enterococci.
However, in 2014, the US Food and Drug Administration approved tedizolid phosphate (brand name – Sivextro) as a second-generation oxazolidinone with potentially 4- to 16-fold potency against MRSA when compared with linezolid.
Moreover, gastrointestinal adverse events (like – abdominal pain, severe constipation, and acid reflux) were less frequent with tedizolid (Sivextro) than linezolid (Zyvox).
5 Natural Antibiotics That Fight Infection
#1 Oregano Oil
Oregano oil is produced through steam distillation of fresh oregano leaves, a perennial plant that belongs to the Labiatae botanical family.
Oregano oil may be an effective treatment against drug-resistant bacteria, according to a 2001 study conducted at the Georgetown University Medical Center. Experts say that it may be due to its content of two potent compounds – thymol and carvacrol.
#2 Garlic
It is said to be one of the most effective natural antibiotics. It is also one of the oldest natural remedies for many conditions. Actually, garlic’s use as a natural healing remedy dates back to more than 7,000 years.
The sulfur compound in garlic, called allicin, acts as a natural antibiotic, as per a 1999 study issued in the journal Microbes and Infection.
#3 Onion
It is closely related to garlic and has similar beneficial properties (also contains allicin), like – preventing flu and colds, fighting bacterial infections, as well as reducing inflammation and pain.
#4 Goldenseal
Berberine, an alkaloid found in this perennial herb, acts against Gram-positive bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
#5 Coconut Oil
It contains lauric acid, a compound that has natural antiviral, antimicrobial, and antifungal attributes. Coconuts oil can be used for yeast infections, candida, inflammation, coughs, and warts.
Images credit – Shutterstock & Getty
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References http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc1500286#t=article https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24238896 https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/58/suppl_1/S51/508285