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Lincomycin: Frequently Asked Questions Answered

What is Lincomycin?

Lincomycin is a manufactured injectable antibiotic used to treat severe bacterial infections. It is administered to people who can’t take penicillin antibiotics. It works by interfering with the capability of bacteria to produce vital proteins that are required for its survival, thereby killing the bacteria. 

However, this medication is only used for bacterial infections, and it will not treat viral infections like cold or common flu. Lincomycin is effective against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and others.

What are the uses of Lincomycin?

Lincomycin is a lincosamide antibiotic used to treat certain kinds of bacterial infections. It is injected in the muscle or infused into a vein, sometimes injected in the eye, and works by blocking bacterial growth in the body. It works best in a dosage of 600 mg per 24 hours for adults, and if the infection is very severe, in a dosage of 600 mg per 12 hours.

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    What are the side effects of Lincomycin?

    Since Lincomycin is an antibiotic, it can cause an overgrowth of harmless and normal bacteria like Clostridium difficile in the intestines and colon. It can cause mild to severe diarrhea if left untreated.

    Common side effects:

    • Nausea.
    • Vomiting.
    • Diarrhea.
    • Abdominal pain.
    • Rash.
    • Itching.
    • Ringing in the ears.
    • Dizziness.
    • Vaginal itching or discharge.

    Suppose you experience diarrhea that is watery or bloody or develop signs of Pseudomembranous colitis after treatment with Lincomycin. In that case, you must stop using the medication and call a doctor right away.

    What is Lincomycin

    Uses of Lincomycin

    Side effects of Lincomycin

    References

    1. WebMD. Lincomycin HCL Vial https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-5641/lincomycin-injection/details
    2. Pubmed. Antibiotics are currently used in the treatment of infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16271060/
    3. ScienceDirect. Lincomycin https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/lincomycin
    4. MedicineNet. (Lincocin) lincomycin https://www.medicinenet.com/lincomycin-oral/article.htm
    5. Drugs.com. Antibiotics Guide https://www.drugs.com/article/antibiotics.html
    6. Lincocin®. lincomycin injection, USP https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2008/050317s172lbl.pdf
    7. RxList. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI in Adults) https://www.rxlist.com/urine_infection/drugs-condition.htm#what_is_the_treatment_for_a_urinary_tract_infection_uti
    8. Drugbank. Lincomycin https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB01627

    Disclaimer: The information provided herein is accurate, updated and complete as per the best practices of the Company. Please note that this information should not be treated as a replacement for physical medical consultation or advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy and the completeness of the information so provided. The absence of any information and/or warning to any drug shall not be considered and assumed as an implied assurance of the Company. We do not take any responsibility for the consequences arising out of the aforementioned information and strongly recommend you for a physical consultation in case of any queries or doubts.

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    Frequently Asked Questions about Lincomycin

    One of the most prevailing and critical clinical problems in the medical field today is Staphylococcal infections. Though there have been many treatments for them, it has been found that most strains of Staphylococcus aureus have developed resistance to penicillin. Lincomycin, along with others, does play a therapeutic role in treating such infections.

    No, Lincomycin is not used as conscious sedation in a child. It is usually used in adults only, and there have not been enough studies conducted to determine its safety in children. A study has shown that only 3% of the patients contracted diarrhea. However, it is not used as a sedative for children.

    Though Lincomycin seems to be a good antibiotic, other such antibiotics are present in the market that perform better than Lincomycin. Such medicines include Clindamycin, and it is preferred because it is more completely absorbed from the gut, has fewer adverse effects, and has more significant antibacterial activity in vitro.

    One of the significant side effects of Lincomycin is diarrhea. Consuming it might lead to you getting mild to severe diarrhea. It may occur 2-months or more after you stop using it. If diarrhea is watery or bloody, Lincomycin must be stopped immediately, and your doctor must be intimated.

    Lincomycin is an artificial antibiotic used to treat severe bacterial infections. The mechanism of this medicine works by interfering with the metabolic pathways in the bacteria. It blocks the production of proteins that are essential for the survival of the bacteria, thereby killing the bacteria.

    Lincomycin is a class of strong antibiotics that is used only in severe cases. Its derivatives may be used to treat severe infections like pelvic inflammatory disease, intra-abdominal infections, lower respiratory tract infections, and bone and joint infections. Some forms are also used topically on the skin to treat acne.

    An intramuscular shot of 600 mg of Lincomycin is strong and can stay in the system for approximately 17 to 20 hours for nearly all the gram-positive bacteria. An intravenous infusion of 600 mg of Lincomycin that is carried out for 2 hours yields therapeutic levels for 14 hours for gram-positive bacteria.

    When the administration of lincomycin is intramuscular, average peak serum levels of 11.6 µg/mL are achieved by a dose of 600 mg lincomycin at 1 hour. In comparison, when 600 mg of Lincomycin is infused intravenously, average peak serum levels of 15.9 µg/mL are achieved at 2 hours.

    Lincomycin is not an antibiotic used to treat Urinary Tract Infections. For severe cases, the antibiotics used to treat UTIs are Aminoglycosides that include gentamicin, amikacin, and tobramycin. Macrolides like clarithromycin, azithromycin, and erythromycin are used for STD-caused urinary problems.

    Lincomycin is not a sulfa drug, but it is a lincosamide antibiotic first extracted from the soil bacterium Streptomyces lincolnensis. The Food and Drug Administration approved it in December 1964. Lincomycin is active against Gram-positive cocci and bacilli, as well as Gram-negative cocci.

    If you are experiencing any side effects of bacterial infection or Lincomycin, consult our experts at Yashoda Hospitals and get a medical opinion.