TUESDAY, July 26 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has notified health care professionals and patients that individuals taking certain psychiatric medications may be at a higher risk of serious central nervous system (CNS) reactions when given reversible monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), including methylene blue or linezolid (Zyvox).
The agency received reports of serious CNS reactions when methylene blue was given to patients taking serotonergic psychiatric drugs. Methylene blue is categorized as a reversible MAOI and indicated for the treatment of methemoglobinemia, vasoplegic syndrome, ifosfamide-induced encephalopathy, and cyanide poisoning, and is also used as a dye in therapeutic and diagnostic applications. The agency believes that administering methylene blue in patients already being prescribed serotonergic psychiatric drugs may lead to Serotonin Syndrome, a condition where high levels of serotonin build up in the brain, leading to adverse events.
The FDA also received reports of serious CNS reactions when linezolid was given to patients taking serotonergic psychiatric drugs. Linezolid is categorized as a reversible MAOI and indicated for the treatment of infections, including pneumonia, infections of the skin, and infections caused by a resistant bacterium (Enterococcus faecium). Linezolid may also increase the risk of Serotonin Syndrome in patients already taking serotonergic psychiatric drugs. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome include mental changes, muscle twitching, excessive sweating, shivering or shaking, diarrhea, trouble with coordination and/or fever.
According to the FDA, "health care professionals and patients may not realize that linezolid has monoamine oxidase inhibitor properties. Linezolid should generally not be given to patients taking serotonergic drugs."
More Information - Methylene Blue
More Information - Linezolid
