 Long @-@ term use of linezolid has also been associated with chemotherapy @-@ induced peripheral neuropathy , a progressive and enduring often irreversible tingling numbness , intense pain , and hypersensitivity to cold , beginning in the hands and feet and sometimes involving the arms and legs . Chemotherapy drugs associated with CIPN include thalidomide , the epothilones such as ixabepilone , the vinca alkaloids vincristine and vinblastine , the taxanes paclitaxel and docetaxel , the proteasome inhibitors such as bortezomib , and the platinum @-@ based drugs cisplatin , oxaliplatin and carboplatin. and optic neuropathy , which is most common after several months of treatment and may also be irreversible . Although the mechanism of injury is still poorly understood , mitochondrial toxicity has been proposed as a cause ; linezolid is toxic to mitochondria , probably because of the similarity between mitochondrial and bacterial ribosomes . Lactic acidosis , a potentially life @-@ threatening buildup of lactic acid in the body , may also occur due to mitochondrial toxicity . Because of these long @-@ term effects , the manufacturer recommends weekly complete blood counts during linezolid therapy to monitor for possible bone marrow suppression , and recommends that treatment last no more than 28 days . A more extensive monitoring protocol for early detection of toxicity in seriously ill patients receiving linezolid has been developed and proposed by a team of researchers in Melbourne , Australia . The protocol includes twice @-@ weekly blood tests and liver function tests ; measurement of serum lactate levels , for early detection of lactic acidosis ; a review of all medications taken by the patient , interrupting the use of those that may interact with linezolid ; and periodic eye and neurological exams in patients set to receive linezolid for longer than four weeks . 
