Zyvox, whose generic name is linezolid, is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections such as pneumonia and skin infections, according to Drugs.com. Tyramine is a chemical found in certain foods that can interact with Zyvox. Patients taking Zyvox are advised not to eat foods containing high amounts of tyramine. An interaction between Zyvox and tyramine can cause blood pressure to rise to dangerous levels, leading to stroke and death.
Animal Products
Patients taking Zyvox should avoid aged, fermented, smoked, air-dried and pickled meats. These meats contain high amounts of tyramine. Patients should also avoid aged cheeses such as cheddar, blue, feta, brick, Swiss and parmesan. Patients are advised to eat fresh animal products that have not been stored in the fridge for more than four days, according to Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Patients may also eat unfermented cheeses such as cottage cheese, ricotta cheese and cream cheese.
Fruits and Vegetables
Patients taking Zyvox should avoid eating avocados, bananas, figs, prunes, pineapples, plums, raisins and oranges. These fruits contain a significant amount of tyramine that can interact with Zyvox. Vegetables that have high levels of tyramine include lima beans, snow peas, egg plants, pickles, olives, sauerkraut, beets, tofu and spinach. All soy products also contain high levels of tyramine and should be avoided by patients taking Zyvox.
Bread, Cereal and Pasta
Patients taking Zyvox should avoid bread products made with yeast extracts, sourdough bread, leavened bread, coffee cakes, cheese cake and homemade yeast leavened bread because they have high levels of tyramine, according to Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Patients may eat egg noodles, pasta, rice, cream of wheat and hot and cold cereals because they contain low tyramine levels.
Alcoholic Beverages
Some alcoholic beverages have high levels of tyramine and should be avoided by patients taking Zyvox,according to Drugs.com. These alcoholic beverages include tap beer, unpasteurized beer, red wine and white.
Zyvox Administration
Zyvox should not be taken by patients who have used a monoamine oxidase inhibitor antidepressant within the past 14 days, according to Drugs.com. Serious life-threatening side effects can occur. Zyvox can be taken with or without food. Patients taking Zyvox may require regular blood work to check for the effects of it on the blood.
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