Linezolid-induced eyelid angioedema: a case report

Linezolid is an antibiotic of the oxazolidinone class which is highly effective in the treatment of serious Gram-positive infections. It is usually well tolerated, but rare adverse reactions like angioedema have been reported. This case report investigates the occurrence of eyelid angioedema induced by linezolid. The patient, a man in his early 70s with sepsis and cellulitis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, developed bilateral eyelid angioedema after receiving a second dose of linezolid. The drug was discontinued and supportive treatment with methylprednisolone and azelastine eye drops resolved the symptoms within 72 hours. The temporal link between drug administration and eyelid oedema supports linezolid as the likely trigger, confirmed by the Karch-Lasagna and Naranjo algorithms.