Lincomycin

Lincomycin injection is indicated in the treatment of serious infections due to susceptible strains of streptococci, pneumococci, and staphylococci. Its use should be reserved for penicillin-allergic patients or other patients for whom, in the judgment of the physician, a penicillin is inappropriate. Because of the risk of CDAD, as described in the BOXED WARNING , before selecting lincomycin the physician should consider the nature of the infection and the suitability of other alternatives. Indicated surgical procedures should be performed in conjunction with antibacterial therapy. Lincomycin injection may be administered concomitantly with other antimicrobial agents when indicated. …

• If significant diarrhea occurs during therapy, lincomycin should be discontinued. (see BOXED WARNING ) INTRAMUSCULAR - Adults: Serious infections —600 mg (2 mL) intramuscularly every 24 hours
• More severe infections —600 mg (2 mL) intramuscularly every 12 hours or more often
• Pediatric patients over 1 month of age: Serious infections —one intramuscular injection of 10 mg/kg (5 mg/lb) every 24 hours
• More severe infections — one intramuscular injection of 10 mg/kg (5 mg/lb) every 12 hours or more often
• INTRAVENOUS - Adults: The intravenous dose will be determined by the severity of the infection
• For serious infections doses of 600 mg of lincomycin (2 mL of lincomycin) to 1 gram are given every 8 to 12 hours
• For more severe infections these doses may have to be increased
• In life-threatening situations daily intravenous doses of as much as 8 grams have been given
• Intravenous doses are given on the basis of 1 gram of lincomycin diluted in not less than 100 mL of appropriate solution (see PHYSICAL COMPATIBILITIES) and infused over a period of not less than one hour
• Dose Vol
• Diluent Time 600 mg 100 mL 1 hr 1 gram 100 mL 1 hr 2 grams 200 mL 2 hr 3 grams 300 mL 3 hr 4 grams 400 mL 4 hr These doses may be repeated as often as required to the limit of the maximum recommended daily dose of 8 grams of lincomycin
• Pediatric patients over 1 month of age: 10 to 20 mg/kg/day (5 to 10 mg/lb/day) depending on the severity of the infection may be infused in divided doses as described above for adults. …

• Lincomycin injection contains benzyl alcohol as a preservative
• Benzyl alcohol has been associated with a fatal “Gasping Syndrome” in premature
• Infants
• See WARNINGS
• Safety and effectiveness
• In pediatric patients below the age of one month have not been established. (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION )

• Patients should be counseled that antibacterial drugs including lincomycin should only be used to treat bacterial infections
• They do not treat viral infections (e.g., the common cold)
• When lincomycin is prescribed to treat a bacterial infection, patients should be told that although it is common to feel better early in the course of therapy, the medication should be taken exactly as directed
• Skipping doses or not completing the full course of therapy may decrease the effectiveness of the immediate treatment and increase the likelihood that bacteria will develop resistance and will not be treatable by lincomycin or other antibacterial drugs in the future. …

Lincomycin injection is contraindicated in patients previously found to be hypersensitive to lincomycin or clindamycin.

Lincomycin has been shown to have neuromuscular blocking properties that may enhance the action of other neuromuscular blocking agents; therefore, it should be used with caution in patients receiving such agents.

See BOXED WARNING . Clostridioides difficile associated diarrhea 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 . 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. …

The following adverse reactions have been reported with the use of lincomycin. Gastrointestinal disorders Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, glossitis, stomatitis, abdominal pain, abdominal discomfort † , anal pruritus Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders Toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis, dermatitis bullous, dermatitis exfoliative, erythema multiforme (see WARNINGS ), rash, urticaria, pruritus Infections and infestations Vaginal infection, pseudomembranous colitis, Clostridioides difficile colitis (see WARNINGS ) Blood and lymphatic system disorders Pancytopenia, agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia, leukopenia, neutropenia, thrombocytop …

Pregnancy There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Lincomycin Sterile Solution contains benzyl alcohol as a preservative. Benzyl alcohol can cross the placenta. See WARNINGS . Lincomycin should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. …

Serum concentrations of lincomycin are not appreciably affected by hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.

Take it when you remember, unless it is nearly time for the next dose. Then skip the missed one. Never take two doses at once to make up for it. Check your leaflet, as some medicines are different.