Therapy with the antibiotic linezolid may be associated with discoloration of the teeth or tongue.
Class of antibiotics: oxazolidinone
Routes of administration: oral or intravenous
Common use: methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
Changes in the teeth:
(1) Discoloration of teeth, most noticeable on the lower incisors.
(2) The dental discoloration was reversible with dental cleaning and stopping of linezolid therapy.
Changes in the tongue:
(1) brown or black discoloration
(2) hairy tongue
(3) The tongue changes were reversible after stopping linezolid therapy.
Diagnosis involves:
(1) exclusion of pre-existing discolorations
(2) exclusion of alternative causes
(3) reversal on cleaning and discontinuation of the linesolid
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Specialty: Otolaryngology, Infectious Diseases, Pharmacology, clinical, Pedatrics