Lincomycin Drug Information
Generic name: LINCOMYCIN
Uses of 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. Lincomycin is not indicated in the treatment of minor bacterial infections or viral infections.
To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of lincomycin and other antibacterial drugs, lincomycin should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy.
Dosage & Administration of Lincomycin
| 600 mg | 100 mL |
|---|---|
| 1 gram | 100 mL |
| 2 grams | 200 mL |
| 3 grams | 300 mL |
| 4 grams | 400 mL |
Side Effects of Lincomycin
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, thrombocytopenic purpura Immune system disorders Anaphylactic reaction (see WARNINGS ), angioedema, serum sickness Hepatobiliary disorders Jaundice, liver function test abnormal, transaminases increased Renal and urinary disorders Renal impairment, oliguria, proteinuria, azotemia Cardiac disorders Cardio-respiratory arrest (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ) Vascular disorders Hypotension (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ), thrombophlebitis† Ear and labyrinth disorders Vertigo, tinnitus Neurologic disorders Headache, dizziness, somnolence General disorders and administration site conditions Injection site abscess sterile‡, injection site induration‡, injection site pain‡, injection site irritation‡ †Event has been reported with intravenous injection. ‡Reported with intramuscular injection. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Micro Labs USA, Inc. at 1-855-839-8195 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Warnings & Cautions for Lincomycin
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.
CDAD must be considered in all patients who present with diarrhea following antibacterial use. Careful medical history is necessary since CDAD has been reported to occur over two months after the administration of antibacterial agents. If CDAD is suspected or confirmed, ongoing antibacterial use not directed against C. difficile may need to be discontinued.
Appropriate fluid and electrolyte management, protein supplementation, antibacterial treatment of C. difficile, and surgical evaluation should be instituted as clinically indicated. Hypersensitivity Severe hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylactic reactions and severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCAR) such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), and erythema multiforme (EM) have been reported in patients receiving lincomycin therapy. If an anaphylactic reaction or severe skin reaction occurs, lincomycin should be discontinued and appropriate therapy should be initiated. (see ADVERSE REACTIONS ) Benzyl Alcohol Toxicity in Pediatric Patients (Gasping Syndrome) Lincomycin injection contains benzyl alcohol as a preservative.
The preservative benzyl alcohol has been associated with serious adverse events, including the “gasping syndrome”, and death in pediatric patients. Although normal therapeutic doses of this product ordinarily deliver amounts of benzyl alcohol that are substantially lower than those reported in association with the “gasping syndrome”, the minimum amount of benzyl alcohol at which toxicity may occur is not known. The risk of benzyl alcohol toxicity depends on the quantity administered and the liver and kidneys’ capacity to detoxify the chemical.
Premature and low-birth weight infants may be more likely to develop toxicity. Inadequate for Use in Meningitis Although lincomycin appears to diffuse into cerebrospinal fluid, concentrations of lincomycin in the CSF may be inadequate for the treatment of meningitis.
Drug Interactions with Lincomycin
Drug Interactions 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.
Pregnancy Safety for Lincomycin
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. Teratogenic Effects: In a study with 60 pregnant women, cord serum concentrations were approximately 25% of the maternal serum concentrations, indicating that lincomycin crosses the placenta, and no substantial accumulation occurred in the amniotic fluid. Experience with 345 obstetrical patients receiving lincomycin revealed no ill effects related to pregnancy.
There was no evidence of teratogenicity when lincomycin was administered in diet to pregnant Sprague Dawley rats during the period of major organogenesis at doses up to 5000 mg/kg (approximately 6 times the maximum recommended human dose, respectively, based on body surface area comparison). Nonteratogenic Effects: Reproduction studies performed in rats administered oral lincomycin in diet for 2 weeks prior to mating, throughout pregnancy and lactation, revealed no adverse effects on survival of offspring from birth to weaning at doses up to 1000 mg/kg (1.2 times the MRHD based on body surface area comparison) up to 2 generations.
Pediatric Use of Lincomycin
Pediatric Use 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 )
Contraindications for Lincomycin
Lincomycin injection is contraindicated in patients previously found to be hypersensitive to lincomycin or clindamycin.
Overdosage Information for Lincomycin
Serum concentrations of lincomycin are not appreciably affected by hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.
Drug information sourced from the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before making any medication decisions.
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