Oral Linezolid Induced Early Onset Hepatic Encephalopathy- A Case Report of 65-year Old Diabetic Female

Linezolid is increasingly utilized to treat gram-positive bacteria that are resistant to other antibiotics like vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus as well as drug-resistant tuberculosis. It acts by inhibiting protein synthesis in bacteria. Although it is a relatively safe medicine, many reports of hepatotoxicity and neurotoxicity linked to long-term usage have been received but patients with pre-existing risk factors, such as diabetes and alcoholism, may have toxicity even after short-term use of linezolid.

Here we are presenting a case of a 65-year-old female with diabetes who developed hepatic encephalopathy after one week of treatment with linezolid prescribed for nonhealing diabetic ulcer after a culture sensitivity test. After the use of linezolid 600 mg BD for 8 days patient developed altered sensorium and breathlessness and had high bilirubin, SGOT, and SGPT. She was diagnosed with hepatic encephalopathy. Linezolid was withdrawn and after 10 days all laboratory parameters for liver function test were improved.

Care should be taken when prescribing linezolid in such patients with pre-existing risk factors as they are prone to develop hepatotoxic and neurotoxic adverse effects even after short-term use of linezolid.