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Black tongue associated with linezolid
Francisco Jover-Diaz1, Jose-Maria Cuadrado-Pastor, Amparo Talents-Bolos
1Infectious Diseases Unit, Hospital Clínico Universitario de San Juan, Alicante, Spain. fjoverdiaz@coma.es
American Journal of Therapeutics
|July 17, 2010
Summary
Linezolid medication can cause black tongue discoloration, a benign side effect. This reversible condition is a probable adverse event that clinicians should be aware of during treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oral Medicine
- Pharmacology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Tongue and oral mucosa darkening is a reaction pattern linked to various physiological, metabolic, toxic disorders, medications, and exogenous substances.
- Black tongue discoloration must be differentiated from black hairy tongue, which involves filiform papilla hypertrophy.
Observation:
- A case report details a 42-year-old male experiencing black tongue discoloration.
- The patient was undergoing treatment with linezolid for spondylodiscitis.
Findings:
- Tongue discoloration is a benign and reversible condition.
- Black tongue discoloration is identified as a probable adverse event associated with linezolid therapy.
Implications:
- This case highlights a potential new adverse effect of linezolid.
- Increased clinician awareness of linezolid-associated tongue discoloration is recommended.
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