Lincomycin

Generic name: lincomycin [ LIN-koe-mye-sin ]
Brand names: Lincocin, Lincorex, L-Mycin, Bactramycin
Dosage form: injectable solution (300 mg/mL)
Drug class: Lincomycin derivatives

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Nov 24, 2023. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is lincomycin?

Lincomycin is an antibiotic that is used to treat severe bacterial infections in people who cannot use penicillin antibiotics.

Lincomycin is used only for a severe infection. lincomycin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Lincomycin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Lincomycin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Antibiotic medicine can cause overgrowth of normally harmless bacteria in the intestines. This can lead to an infection that causes mild to severe diarrhea, even months after your last antibiotic dose. If left untreated this condition can lead to life-threatening intestinal problems.

Lincomycin may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody (even if it occurs months after your last dose);

• little or no urination;

• blisters or ulcers in your mouth, red or swollen gums, trouble swallowing;

• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or

• low blood cell counts--fever, chills, tiredness, skin sores, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath.

Older adults and those who are ill or debilitated may be more sensitive to the effects of diarrhea caused by this medication.

Common side effects include:

• diarrhea, stomach pain;

• nausea, vomiting, swollen or painful tongue;

• vaginal itching or discharge;

• mild itching or rash;

• ringing in your ears; or

• dizziness.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

Antibiotic medicine can cause overgrowth of normally harmless bacteria in the intestines. This can lead to an infection that causes mild to severe diarrhea, even months after your last antibiotic dose. Call your doctor at the first sign of diarrhea during and shortly after your treatment with lincomycin.

If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, stop using lincomycin and call your doctor right away. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to. Stopping the diarrhea can make an intestinal infection worse.

Before taking this medicine

You should not be treated with lincomycin if you are allergic to lincomycin or clindamycin.

Before you receive lincomycin, tell your doctor if you have a history of intestinal disorder such as ulcerative colitis.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• asthma;

• an intestinal disorder such as colitis;

• severe allergies; or

• liver or kidney disease.

It is not known whether lincomycin will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

It may not be safe to breast-feed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

How is lincomycin given?

Lincomycin is injected into a muscle, or as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give your first dose and may teach you how to properly use the medication by yourself.

When injected into a vein, lincomycin must be given slowly, and the infusion can take at least 1 hour to complete.

Lincomycin is sometimes given as an injection into your eye. Your doctor will use a medicine to numb your eye before giving you the injection. You will receive this injection in your doctor's office or other clinic setting.

Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses can increase your risk of infection that is resistant to medication. Lincomycin will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.

Call your doctor at the first sign of diarrhea during and shortly after your treatment with lincomycin.

If you use this medicine long-term, you may need frequent medical tests. If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using lincomycin.

Store at room temperature away from heat.

Use a needle and syringe only once and then place them in a puncture-proof "sharps" container. Follow state or local laws about how to dispose of this container. Keep it out of the reach of children and pets.

Lincomycin dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Bacterial Infection:

IM:
Serious infections: 600 mg IM every 24 hours
More severe infections: 600 mg IM every 12 hours or more often

IV:
Serious infections: 600 to 1000 mg IV every 8 to 12 hours; may need to increase dose for more severe infections
Life-threatening infections: Up to 8 g IV per day, in divided doses
Maximum dose: 8 g/day

Subconjunctival injection: 75 mg subconjunctivally once

Comments:
-Dose should be based on the severity of the infection.
-This drug should be reserved for penicillin-allergic patients or patients for whom a penicillin is considered inappropriate.
-IV doses may be repeated as often as needed up to the maximum dose (8 g/day).
-A dose injected subconjunctivally results in ocular fluid levels that last at least 5 hours with MICs sufficient for most susceptible bacteria.

Uses: Treatment of serious infections due to susceptible strains of streptococci, pneumococci, and staphylococci

Usual Pediatric Dose for Bacterial Infection:

Over 1 month of age:
IM:
Serious infections: 10 mg/kg IM every 24 hours
More severe infections: 10 mg/kg IM every 12 hours or more often

IV: 10 to 20 mg/kg IV per day, in divided doses (as for adults)

Comments:
-Dose should be based on the severity of the infection.
-This drug should be reserved for penicillin-allergic patients or patients for whom a penicillin is considered inappropriate.

Uses: Treatment of serious infections due to susceptible strains of streptococci, pneumococci, and staphylococci

Related/similar drugs

amoxicillin, doxycycline, ciprofloxacin, ciprofloxacin ophthalmic, cephalexin, azithromycin, azithromycin ophthalmic, metronidazole, levofloxacin ophthalmic, erythromycin ophthalmic

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while receiving lincomycin?

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your doctor before using anti-diarrhea medicine. Stopping the diarrhea can make an intestinal infection worse.

What other drugs will affect lincomycin?

Other drugs may affect lincomycin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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