Lincomycin

Lincomycin is an antibiotic used to treat serious bacterial infections in people who cannot take penicillin antibiotics.

Lincomycin is only for a severe infection. Lincomycin will not treat a viral infection like the common cold or flu.

Lincomycin may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Lincomycin is given as an injection into a muscle or through an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give you your first dose and may teach you how to use the medication on your own.

When given through a vein, lincomycin must be infused slowly, and the process can take at least 1 hour to finish.

Lincomycin can also be injected into your eye. Your doctor will numb your eye with a medicine before giving you the injection. This injection will be done in your doctor's office or another clinic.

Use this medicine for the entire prescribed duration, even if your symptoms improve quickly. Missing doses can increase your risk of an infection that is resistant to treatment. Lincomycin will not treat viral infections like the flu or a common cold.

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

If you use this medicine for a long time, you may need regular medical tests. If you have surgery planned, inform the surgeon in advance that you are using lincomycin.

Store at room temperature away from heat.

Use a needle and syringe only once, then place them in a puncture-proof "sharps" container. Follow your state or local laws for disposing of this container. Keep it out of reach of children and pets.

Antibiotic medicine can lead to an overgrowth of normally harmless bacteria in the intestines. This can result in an infection that causes mild to severe diarrhea, even months after your last dose of antibiotic. Contact 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 contact your doctor immediately. Do not take anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor advises you to. Stopping the diarrhea can make an intestinal infection worse.

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.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, trouble 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 lead to an overgrowth of normally harmless bacteria in the intestines. This can result in an infection that causes mild to severe diarrhea, even months after your last antibiotic dose. If untreated, this condition can cause life-threatening intestinal issues.

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

• severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody (even if it happens 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 sick or weakened 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.

Usual Adult Dose for Bacterial Infection:

IM:Serious infections: 600 mg IM every 24 hoursMore severe infections: 600 mg IM every 12 hours or more oftenIV:Serious infections: 600 to 1000 mg IV every 8 to 12 hours; may need to increase dose for more severe infectionsLife-threatening infections: Up to 8 g IV per day, in divided dosesMaximum dose: 8 g/daySubconjunctival injection: 75 mg subconjunctivally onceComments:-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 hoursMore severe infections: 10 mg/kg IM every 12 hours or more oftenIV: 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

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose.

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

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

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 medicines you start or stop using.