CriticalTricyclic antidepressants (TCA)×Oxazolidinone antibiotic
Updated · Methodology
Mechanism
Amitriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant, blocks serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake. Linezolid reversibly inhibits MAO. Combined action sharply raises synaptic monoamines, risking serotonin syndrome and hypertensive crisis.
Symptoms
Serotonin syndrome: agitation, confusion, tremor, myoclonus, hyperreflexia, dilated pupils. Autonomic features: profuse sweating, tachycardia, hypertension, fever above 38.5 °C. Severe cases progress to seizures, rhabdomyolysis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and death. First signs appear within hours of concurrent dosing.
Management
The combination is not prescribed. Stop amitriptyline 1–2 weeks before linezolid. If linezolid is urgently needed, switch the patient to mianserin or agomelatine, which lack a strong serotonergic profile. Alternative antibiotics: vancomycin, daptomycin.
Check the full regimen, not just this pair
Opens the checker with these two drugs prefilled. Add the rest of the regimen and recompute additive risks.
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Medicine list: everything you take in one place →
Sources
- FDA: Zyvox (linezolid) prescribing information (2018)– ; DailyMed setid 6e70e63b-bfd5-478d-a8ee-8ba22c9efabd
- AEMPS: Ficha técnica: Amitriptilina (nº registro 89862), sección 4.5 (2026)– AEMPS, CIMA, nº registro 89862, revisión 05/2026, sección 4.5
- AEMPS: Ficha técnica: Linezolid (nº registro 81569), sección 4.5 (2026)– AEMPS, CIMA, nº registro 81569, revisión 05/2026, sección 4.5