TY - JOUR T1 - Linezolid-induced pancytopenia JF - BMJ Case Reports DO - 10.1136/bcr-2018-225480 VL - 2018 SP - bcr-2018-225480 AU - Ross Leader AU - James Hackett AU - Anne Allan AU - Paul Carter Y1 - 2018/07/26 UR - http://casereports.bmj.com/content/2018/bcr-2018-225480.abstract N2 - Linezolid is a bacteriostatic antibiotic of the Oxazolidinone class; it works by inhibiting the initiation of protein synthesis on bacterial ribosomes. Due to its excellent bioavailability after oral dosing, it has become an important tool in combating multi-drug-resistant bacteria including glycopeptide-resistant enterococci and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Side effects are multiple and potentially serious. We report the case of an 87-year-old man who developed pancytopenia secondary to a 6-week course of linezolid. Withdrawal of the antibiotic was decided as the treatment and resolution of the pancytopenia was evident within 2 weeks. Clinicians should be aware of this side effect of linezolid therapy and that weekly full blood count monitoring is paramount. ER -