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Lincomycin Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jul 2, 2024.

Applies to lincomycin: injection solution.

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Injection route (solution)

Clostridioides difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported with use of nearly all antibacterial agents, including lincomycin, and may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis.

Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon leading to overgrowth of C. difficile.Because lincomycin therapy has been associated with severe colitis which may end fatally, it should be reserved for serious infections where less toxic antimicrobials agents are inappropriate.

It should not be used in patients with nonbacterial infections such as most upper respiratory tract infections.C difficile produces toxins A and B which contribute to the development of CDAD.

Hypertoxin producing strains of C difficile cause increased morbidity and mortality, as these infections can be refractory to antimicrobial therapy and may require colectomy.

CDAD must be considered in all patients who present with diarrhea following antibiotic use.

Careful medical history is necessary since CDAD has been reported to occur over two months after the administration of antibacterial agents.If CDAD is suspected or confirmed, ongoing antibiotic use not directed against C difficile may need to be discontinued.

Appropriate fluid and electrolyte management, protein supplementation, antibiotic treatment of C difficile, and surgical evaluation should be instituted as clinically indicated.

Serious side effects of lincomycin

Along with its needed effects, lincomycin may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking lincomycin:

Incidence not known

  • abdominal or stomach pain or tenderness
  • black, tarry stools
  • blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
  • blurred vision
  • chills
  • clay-colored stools
  • confusion
  • cough
  • dark urine
  • diarrhea
  • difficulty with swallowing
  • dizziness dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
  • fast heartbeat
  • fever
  • headache
  • hives, itching, or rash
  • joint or muscle pain
  • loss of appetite
  • lower back or side pain
  • nausea
  • painful or difficult urination
  • pale skin
  • puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
  • red skin lesions, often with a purple center
  • red, irritated eyes
  • severe abdominal or stomach cramps and pain
  • sore throat
  • sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
  • sweating
  • tightness in the chest
  • ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth
  • unpleasant breath odor
  • unusual bleeding or bruising
  • unusual tiredness or weakness
  • vomiting of blood
  • watery and severe diarrhea, which may also be bloody
  • yellow eyes or skin

Other side effects of lincomycin

Some side effects of lincomycin may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

  • abdominal or stomach discomfort
  • continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
  • feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
  • hearing loss
  • pain, redness, or hard lumps at the injection site
  • redness, swelling, or soreness of the tongue
  • sensation of spinning
  • sleepiness or unusual drowsiness

Managing side effects (general information)

For healthcare professionals

Applies to lincomycin: compounding powder, injectable solution, oral capsule.

Gastrointestinal adverse events

The onset of pseudomembranous colitis symptoms has been reported during and after antibacterial therapy.

Esophagitis was reported with oral preparations.[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Some hypersensitivity reactions occurred in penicillin-sensitive patients.

A 19-year-old male patient, who had received 2 previous IM injections of lincomycin at the age of 17 years and 1 IM injection 2 weeks prior, reported that a few minutes after his fourth IM injection he noticed a tingling sensation around his face and mouth. The patient's symptoms progressed to bright red to blue-violet skin discoloration, injection of the bulbar conjunctivae, and swelling of his face, neck, and ears. The patient recovered without incident after receiving adrenaline and betamethasone IM followed by oral prednisone with an antihistamine.[Ref]

Dermatologic

Hematologic

Cardiovascular

Cases of hypotension after parenteral administration have been reported, especially after too rapid IV administration. Rare cases of cardiopulmonary arrest have been reported after this drug was administered IV too rapidly. In these cases, the affected patients subsequently tolerated slow infusions. A study that looked at multiple large dose administration of this drug found that when the doses were appropriately diluted and administered more slowly, cardiovascular changes did not occur.[Ref]

Hepatic

Renal

Genitourinary

Nervous system

Local

Frequency not reported:

IM: Pain following injection, local irritation, pain induration, sterile abscess formation

IV: Thrombophlebitis[Ref]

Ocular

References

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Further information

Lincomycin side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

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