 Linezolid is considered bacteriostatic against most organisms — that is , it stops their growth and reproduction without actually killing them — but has some bactericidal ( killing ) activity against streptococci . Some authors have noted that , despite its bacteriostatic effect in vitro , linezolid " behaves " as a bactericidal antibiotic in vivo because it inhibits the production of toxins by staphylococci and streptococci . It also has a post @-@ antibiotic effect lasting one to four hours for most bacteria , meaning that bacterial growth is temporarily suppressed even after the drug is discontinued . 
