Lincocin Vial 300mg/ml, 2ml
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 to you. It is 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 specified period.
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 method.
Missing a Dose
If you miss a dose, contact your doctor to receive guidance on what to do next.
Lifestyle & Tips
- Report any severe or persistent diarrhea immediately to your doctor.
- Stay well-hydrated during treatment.
- Do not take antidiarrheal medications without consulting your doctor if you develop diarrhea, as this can worsen C. difficile infection.
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
This medication can cause severe skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and other severe skin reactions. Seek medical help immediately if you experience:
Red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin
Skin irritation (with or without fever)
Red or irritated eyes
Sores in your 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 symptoms that bother you or do not go away, contact your doctor:
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 about side effects, 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
- Rash, hives, itching
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
- Sore throat, fever, chills (signs of infection or blood problems)
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 is not an exhaustive list of all potential interactions with this medication. Therefore, it is crucial to discuss all of your medications, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, natural products, and vitamins, with your doctor and pharmacist. Additionally, share any existing health problems with your doctor to ensure safe use.
To guarantee your safety, do not start, stop, or modify the dosage of any medication without first consulting your doctor. It is vital to verify that it is safe to take this medication in conjunction with all of your other medications and health conditions.
Precautions & Cautions
Do not take 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 that contain 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 any concerns, consult your doctor.
If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding, inform your doctor. You and your doctor will need to discuss the potential benefits and risks of this medication to both you and your baby.
Overdose Information
Overdose Symptoms:
- Gastrointestinal upset (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea)
- Hypotension (low blood pressure)
- Respiratory depression (especially if given with neuromuscular blockers)
What to Do:
There is no specific antidote. Treatment is supportive and symptomatic. Hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis are not effective in removing lincomycin. Call 1-800-222-1222 (Poison Control Center) or seek emergency medical attention.
Drug Interactions
Major Interactions
- Neuromuscular blocking agents (e.g., succinylcholine, rocuronium): May enhance neuromuscular blockade, leading to respiratory depression or paralysis.
- Kaolin-pectin: May significantly reduce oral absorption of lincomycin (not relevant for injectable, but important for patient education if switching).
Moderate Interactions
- Erythromycin: May antagonize the antibacterial effect of lincomycin due to competitive binding at the 50S ribosomal subunit.
- Opioid analgesics: Increased risk of respiratory depression when used concurrently with neuromuscular blocking agents potentiated by lincomycin.
Monitoring
Baseline Monitoring
Rationale: To establish baseline and guide dose adjustment in renal impairment.
Timing: Prior to initiation of therapy.
Rationale: To establish baseline and guide dose adjustment in hepatic impairment.
Timing: Prior to initiation of therapy.
Rationale: To establish baseline and monitor for potential hematologic abnormalities (e.g., neutropenia, leukopenia, agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenic purpura) with prolonged therapy.
Timing: Prior to initiation of therapy, especially for prolonged courses.
Routine Monitoring
Frequency: Daily during acute phase, then as clinically indicated.
Target: Resolution of signs/symptoms of infection.
Action Threshold: Lack of improvement or worsening symptoms may indicate treatment failure or resistance.
Frequency: Daily
Target: Normal bowel habits.
Action Threshold: Development of severe, persistent diarrhea, especially if bloody or mucoid, warrants immediate investigation for C. difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD).
Frequency: Daily
Target: Absence of pain, redness, swelling, or induration.
Action Threshold: Signs of phlebitis or irritation require site change or discontinuation.
Frequency: Periodically (e.g., weekly) during prolonged therapy or in patients with pre-existing impairment.
Target: Within normal limits or stable from baseline.
Action Threshold: Significant elevation may require dose adjustment or discontinuation.
Frequency: Periodically (e.g., weekly) during prolonged therapy (more than 10 days).
Target: Within normal limits or stable from baseline.
Action Threshold: Significant decrease in white blood cell count or platelet count may require discontinuation.
Symptom Monitoring
- Severe, persistent diarrhea (especially if bloody or mucoid)
- Abdominal pain or cramping
- Fever
- Skin rash, itching, hives
- Swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat (signs of allergic reaction)
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice)
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
- Sore throat, fever, chills (signs of blood dyscrasias)
Special Patient Groups
Pregnancy
Lincomycin is classified as Pregnancy Category C. Animal studies have shown adverse effects on the fetus, but there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. It should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
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
Use with caution in infants less than one month of age due to immature renal and hepatic function. Monitor closely for adverse effects. Dosage adjustments are based on weight and severity of infection.
Geriatric Use
No specific dose adjustment is generally needed based on age alone, but elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal or hepatic function, which may require dose adjustment. They may also be more susceptible to C. difficile-associated diarrhea.
Clinical Information
Clinical Pearls
- Lincomycin is a lincosamide, chemically related to clindamycin, but generally considered less potent and with a narrower spectrum of activity. Clindamycin has largely replaced lincomycin in clinical practice due to better oral absorption and broader spectrum.
- Primarily used for serious infections caused by susceptible Gram-positive bacteria (e.g., streptococci, staphylococci, pneumococci) in patients allergic to penicillin or where other antibiotics are ineffective.
- Not effective against Gram-negative bacteria or enterococci.
- Administer IV infusions slowly over at least 1 hour per gram to avoid hypotension and cardiopulmonary arrest.
- Always warn patients about the risk of severe diarrhea (CDAD) and instruct them to seek immediate medical attention if it occurs.
Alternative Therapies
- Clindamycin (another lincosamide, often preferred due to better pharmacokinetics and spectrum)
- Macrolides (e.g., azithromycin, erythromycin, clarithromycin) for Gram-positive infections in penicillin-allergic patients
- Vancomycin (for severe Gram-positive infections, especially MRSA)
- Linezolid (for resistant Gram-positive infections)