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Can I start LINEZOLID after RIFAMPICIN for SCALP FOLLICULITIS?

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Hi,

I was prescribed linezolid + rifampicin for my scalpe folliculitis (caused by staph) .

I took rifampicin 24 hours back. Can I start the linezolid now?

I am concerned since i did not take linezolid and rifampicin together, it may make rifampicin resistant. Please clarify on this.

How long does it take for rifampicin to become resistant when taken as monotheraphy for these folliculties.

about my folliculitis. ( i have over 20 boils in the scalp, and a few in the face and one inside nose) These are white, pustle filled ones. Its been there on and off past a year. I have already tried three courses of different antibiotics which seem to solve it until i take and when i stop it comes back.

I have taken pus culture and sensitivity tests. This is my fourth try.

Category: Dermatologist

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Dr. Kalpana Pathak
Category: Sexually Transmitted Diseases(STD)Specialist
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Expert:  Dr. Kalpana Pathak
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Hi,
Thanks for posting your query at DoctorSpring.com

I hope you have been prescribed rifampicin and linezolid after pus culture and sensitivity of lesions. Rifampicin is considered to be most effective in treating follicultis caused by staph aureus. As resistance to rifampicin may develop rapidly(weeks atleast), so it should not be used as monotherapy. Now as you took rifampicin yesterday, you can definitely start linezolid from today. Just one day of rifampicin monotherapy would not cause resistance. I prescribe rifampicin for 6 to 10 weeks along with another antibiotic for remission. As long as patient is on therapy, repeated pus culture and sensitivity should be done to assess response and rule out resistance. Also liver function test should be done regularly as rifampicin can cause liver related side effects.
Along with rifampicin use antibacterial scalp wash like cetrilac or betadine AD. Also apply topical cream like mupirocin twice in a day over scalp and in nasal vestibule. Nasal cavity can be a focus of bacterial infection in recurrent follicultis.
Hope this helped. Should there be any doubt,please write back

Take care.

Dr. Kalpana Pathak
Category: Sexually Transmitted Diseases(STD)Specialist
Experience: 
M.D. from Pt. B D Sharma Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak in 2011 with Haryana State Dental & Medical Council
M.B.B.S from MLN medical college allahabad in 2006 with Uttar Pradesh Medical Council
Dr. Kalpana Pathak and 4 other Medical Specialists are ready to help you

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