Lincocin 300mg/ml Inj, 10ml
Overview
What is this medicine?
How to Use This Medicine
To use this medication correctly, follow your doctor's instructions and read all the information provided. It's essential to follow the instructions carefully. This medication is administered either as an injection into a muscle or as an infusion into a vein over a period of time.
Storing and Disposing of Your Medication
If you need to store this medication at home, consult with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to determine the proper storage procedure.
Missing a Dose
If you miss a dose, contact your doctor to receive guidance on what to do next.
Lifestyle & Tips
- Complete the full course of medication as prescribed, even if you start feeling better. Stopping early can lead to the infection coming back and becoming harder to treat.
- Stay well-hydrated during treatment.
- Do not share this medication with others, even if they have similar symptoms.
Available Forms & Alternatives
Available Strengths:
Dosing & Administration
Adult Dosing
Condition-Specific Dosing:
Pediatric Dosing
Dose Adjustments
Renal Impairment:
Hepatic Impairment:
Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption:
Distribution:
Elimination:
Pharmacodynamics
Safety & Warnings
BLACK BOX WARNING
Side Effects
Although rare, some people may experience severe and potentially life-threatening side effects while taking this medication. If you notice any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor or seek immediate medical attention:
Signs of an allergic reaction, such as:
+ Rash
+ Hives
+ Itching
+ Red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever)
+ Wheezing
+ Tightness in the chest or throat
+ Trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking
+ Unusual hoarseness
+ Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat
Urination problems, such as inability to pass urine or changes in urine output
Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
Mouth irritation or mouth sores
Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
Pale skin
Fever, chills, or sore throat
Unexplained bruising or bleeding
Feeling extremely tired or weak
Vaginal itching or discharge
Chest pain or pressure
Severe dizziness or fainting
Severe skin reactions, including:
+ Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS)
+ Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN)
+ Other severe skin reactions, characterized by:
- Red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever)
- Skin irritation
- Red or irritated eyes
- Sores in the mouth, throat, nose, or eyes
Other Possible Side Effects
Like all medications, this drug can cause side effects. While many people may not experience any side effects or only minor ones, it's essential to discuss any concerns with your doctor. If you experience any of the following side effects or any other unusual symptoms, contact your doctor for advice:
Diarrhea
Upset stomach or vomiting
Stomach pain
Dizziness or drowsiness
Headache
* Irritation at the injection site
Reporting Side Effects
This list is not exhaustive, and you may experience other side effects. If you have questions or concerns, contact your doctor. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088 or online at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention If You Experience:
- Severe, watery, or bloody diarrhea (even weeks after stopping the medication)
- Severe stomach pain or cramps
- Fever
- Rash, hives, or itching
- Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Yellowing of your skin or eyes (jaundice)
- Unusual bruising or bleeding
- Signs of a new infection (e.g., sore throat, fever, chills)
Before Using This Medicine
It is essential to inform your doctor about the following:
Any allergies you have, including allergies to this medication, any of its components, or other substances, such as foods or drugs. Be sure to describe the allergic reaction you experienced, including any symptoms that occurred.
If you are currently using any products that contain erythromycin.
This list is not exhaustive, and it is crucial to discuss all your medications, health conditions, and potential interactions with your doctor. Please provide your doctor and pharmacist with a comprehensive list of:
All prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications you are taking
Any natural products or vitamins you are using
* Your existing health problems
Before starting, stopping, or changing the dose of any medication, including this one, you must consult with your doctor to ensure your safety. It is vital to verify that it is safe to take this medication in combination with all your other medications and health conditions.
Precautions & Cautions
Do not use this medication for longer than prescribed, as this can increase the risk of a second infection. Older adults, particularly those 65 years or older, should use this medication with caution, as they may be more susceptible to side effects.
This medication contains benzyl alcohol, which can be harmful to newborns and infants. If possible, avoid using products containing benzyl alcohol in these age groups, as high doses or combination with other benzyl alcohol-containing products can cause serious side effects. If you have concerns, consult your doctor.
If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, inform your doctor. They will discuss the potential benefits and risks of this medication to you and your baby, helping you make an informed decision.
Overdose Information
Overdose Symptoms:
- Gastrointestinal upset (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea)
- Hypotension (low blood pressure)
- Respiratory depression (especially if given rapidly IV or with neuromuscular blockers)
What to Do:
Seek immediate medical attention or call a poison control center (e.g., 1-800-222-1222). Treatment is supportive and symptomatic. Hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis are not effective in removing lincomycin from the blood.
Drug Interactions
Major Interactions
- Neuromuscular blocking agents (e.g., succinylcholine, rocuronium): Lincomycin may potentiate the neuromuscular blocking action, leading to respiratory depression or paralysis.
- Erythromycin: Antagonistic effect due to competition for the same ribosomal binding site.
Moderate Interactions
- Kaolin-pectin (for oral lincomycin, not injectable): Decreases oral absorption of lincomycin.
- Oral typhoid vaccine: Antibiotics may reduce the therapeutic effect of the vaccine.
Monitoring
Baseline Monitoring
Rationale: To establish baseline hematologic parameters and monitor for potential blood dyscrasias (e.g., neutropenia, leukopenia, agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenic purpura) which are rare but reported.
Timing: Prior to initiation of therapy.
Rationale: To establish baseline hepatic function and monitor for potential hepatotoxicity, especially in patients with pre-existing liver disease or during prolonged therapy.
Timing: Prior to initiation of therapy.
Rationale: To establish baseline renal function and guide dose adjustments in patients with renal impairment, and monitor for potential nephrotoxicity.
Timing: Prior to initiation of therapy.
Routine Monitoring
Frequency: Daily, throughout therapy and for several weeks post-therapy
Target: Normal bowel habits
Action Threshold: Onset of severe, persistent diarrhea, abdominal pain, or fever (suggestive of C. difficile-associated diarrhea)
Frequency: Periodically (e.g., weekly or bi-weekly) for prolonged therapy (>10-14 days) or in patients with hepatic impairment.
Target: Within normal limits or stable baseline
Action Threshold: Significant elevation (e.g., >3x ULN) or signs of liver injury
Frequency: Periodically (e.g., weekly or bi-weekly) for prolonged therapy or in patients with renal impairment.
Target: Within normal limits or stable baseline
Action Threshold: Significant increase in BUN/creatinine or decrease in urine output
Frequency: Periodically (e.g., weekly) for prolonged therapy (>10-14 days).
Target: Within normal limits
Action Threshold: Significant decrease in WBC, neutrophil count, or platelet count
Symptom Monitoring
- Severe, persistent diarrhea (especially if bloody or watery)
- Abdominal pain or cramping
- Fever
- Skin rash, itching, hives (signs of allergic reaction)
- Swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat (angioedema)
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice)
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
- Sore throat, fever, or other signs of infection (may indicate blood dyscrasias or superinfection)
Special Patient Groups
Pregnancy
Lincomycin is classified as Pregnancy Category C. It should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Animal studies have shown some adverse effects, but there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
Trimester-Specific Risks:
Lactation
Lincomycin is excreted in human milk. Due to the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants (e.g., diarrhea, candidiasis, sensitization), a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.
Pediatric Use
Lincomycin can be used in pediatric patients (infants and children) with appropriate dose adjustments based on weight. However, use in neonates is not well-established, and caution is advised due to immature renal and hepatic function. Monitor for adverse effects, especially gastrointestinal issues.
Geriatric Use
No specific dose adjustment is generally required based on age alone. However, elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal or hepatic function, which may necessitate dose adjustments. Monitor renal and hepatic function closely in this population. Elderly patients may also be more susceptible to the development of C. difficile-associated diarrhea.
Clinical Information
Clinical Pearls
- Lincomycin is a less commonly used lincosamide compared to clindamycin, but it has a similar spectrum of activity, primarily against Gram-positive bacteria (e.g., Staphylococcus, Streptococcus) and anaerobes.
- It is NOT effective for infections of the central nervous system (e.g., meningitis) due to poor penetration into the CSF.
- The most significant adverse effect is the risk of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD), which can range from mild to life-threatening. Patients should be educated on symptoms and advised to seek immediate medical attention if they occur.
- Rapid intravenous administration can lead to hypotension and cardiopulmonary arrest; infuse slowly over at least 1 hour per gram.
- Consider alternative antibiotics if a patient has a history of severe hypersensitivity to lincomycin or clindamycin.
Alternative Therapies
- Clindamycin (another lincosamide, often preferred due to better oral absorption and similar spectrum)
- Macrolides (e.g., azithromycin, clarithromycin, erythromycin - for susceptible Gram-positive infections, but antagonism with lincomycin is possible)
- Beta-lactam antibiotics (e.g., penicillin, cephalosporins - depending on the specific bacterial pathogen and site of infection)
- Vancomycin (for severe Gram-positive infections, especially MRSA)
- Metronidazole (for anaerobic infections)