18.01.4.6 Oxalazidones

The oxalazidones are a new chemical class of antibiotics. Linezolid is an example of an oxalazidone. Oxalazidones bind to the 50S ribosomal unit of the bacteria, to prevent it forming the 70S complex, and without this ribosome complex there is no bacterial protein synthesis. Linezolid is reserved for the treatment of drug-resistant Gram-positive organisms e.g. vancomycin-resistant enterococci. Linezolid is also used as an alternative to vancomycin for the treatment of MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococci Aureus).