TY - JOUR T1 - The pharmacokinetics of linezolid in the non-inflamed human eye JF - British Journal of Ophthalmology JO - Br J Ophthalmol SP - 1418 LP - 1419 DO - 10.1136/bjo.2005.073700 VL - 89 IS - 11 AU - J I Prydal AU - D R Jenkins AU - A Lovering AU - A Watts Y1 - 2005/11/01 UR - http://bjo.bmj.com/content/89/11/1418.abstract N2 - Aim: This study describes the ocular pharmacokinetics of linezolid, an antibiotic with broad spectrum activity against those Gram positive bacteria that are the most frequent cause of postoperative endophthalmitis. Method: Patients undergoing routine cataract surgery were given a single oral 600 mg dose of linezolid at a variable time before surgery. Aqueous and serum levels of linezolid were assayed by high performance liquid chromatography, and a pharmacokinetic curve constructed from the pooled results. Results: Orally administered linezolid rapidly achieves levels in the aqueous of non-inflamed eyes that exceed the concentration required to kill Gram positive bacteria (maximum mean concentration 6.8 (SD 1.2) µg/ml at 2–4 hours post-dose). An effective concentration is maintained for at least 12 hours, the standard interdose interval for this antimicrobial. Conclusion: Linezolid offers the possibility of a rapid, oral approach to effective treatment of most cases of postoperative endophthalmitis, with the potential of improving visual outcome. ER -