Evaluation of the relationship between linezolid exposure and hyponatremia

Aims of this study were (a) to assess the development ratio of hyponatremia during treatment with linezolid and (b) to evaluate the relationship between the risk of hyponatremia and linezolid exposure and patient background.

Clinical data including linezolid serum concentrations and serum sodium values were collected at Toyama University Hospital and Kyorin University Hospital. Data from 89 patients were used for the analysis, and a nadir serum sodium level ≤130 mmol/L during the treatment with linezolid was defined as hyponatremia. Mann-Whitney's U test was used to evaluate the effects of the area under the time-concentration curve (AUC) of linezolid at the nadir sodium level, clinical characteristics (e.g. laboratory data), and baseline serum sodium levels on the development of hyponatremia.

The hyponatremia was occurred in 21 of 89 patients (23.6%). Data are compared for baseline and nadir serum sodium levels of patients with and without hyponatremia. In both groups, nadir serum sodium levels were significantly different from those of the baseline values (P < 0.05). The values of AUC_0-12, accumulated AUC, baseline serum sodium levels and age were significantly different between patients with and without hyponatremia (P < 0.05).

Linezolid exposure, age, and baseline sodium levels were detected as the risk factors for linezolid-related hyponatremia. Our findings suggest that regular monitoring of serum sodium levels is desirable during treatment with linezolid, especially for the elderly and patients with low serum sodium levels before the start of linezolid administration.