Which drug class does linezolid belong to, and what are its major adverse effects in TB treatment?

• A. Oxazolidinone; major adverse effects include myelosuppression and peripheral neuropathy
• B. Fluoroquinolone; tendon rupture
• C. Beta-lactam; rash
• D. Aminoglycoside; nephrotoxicity

Answer: (A)

Linezolid is an oxazolidinone. In TB treatment, especially for multidrug- or extensively drug-resistant TB, it’s used when first-line options aren’t effective. The major adverse effects to watch for with prolonged linezolid therapy are bone marrow suppression (myelosuppression), which can lead to anemia or thrombocytopenia, and peripheral neuropathy (numbness or tingling in the hands or feet). These toxicities are particularly important because TB therapy is long, so regular blood counts and assessment of neuropathic symptoms are essential. Other drug classes carry different common adverse effects—fluoroquinolones are associated with tendon rupture, beta-lactams with rash, and aminoglycosides with nephrotoxicity—so these are not the characteristic risks of linezolid.