Linezolid, the first of a new class of antibiotics, the oxazolidinones, is approved for the treatment of Gram-positive bacterial infections, including resistant strains. Linezolid possesses bacteriostatic activity against both antibiotic-susceptible and resistant strains of staphylococci, enterococci and streptococci of relevance to human infection. Clinical trials have confirmed its effectiveness in the treatment of serious infections of skin and soft tissue and the lower respiratory tract. Linezolid has also provided improved outcomes in the treatment of serious vancomycin-resistant entrococci (VRE) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections. It is well absorbed with high bioavailability after oral administration and generally well tolerated.