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

OBJECTIVES: Identify the incidence of haematological adverse effects associated with linezolid. METHODS: Medical records of 27 hospitalised patients in South Africa with drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) and prescribed linezolid therapy were retrospectively reviewed. KEY FINDINGS: 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. CONCLUSION: 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.