Lincomycin
About Lincomycin
Lincomycin is a prescription antibiotic injection used to treat serious bacterial infections in different parts of the body. It is typically prescribed for severe infections of the lungs, skin, blood, and internal organs when other treatments may not be suitable. Your doctor will determine if this medication is appropriate for your specific type of infection.
Since this medication is injected, a healthcare provider will usually give it to you at regular times to keep a constant level of the medicine in your body. It is important to receive every scheduled dose even if you start feeling better. Staying well-hydrated, resting, and eating nutrient-rich foods can also help your body recover more quickly during treatment.
You may experience mild side effects like nausea, vomiting, or irritation at the injection site. However, if you develop severe, watery diarrhoea, stomach cramps, or a skin rash, contact your doctor immediately. These symptoms could indicate a serious condition that requires prompt medical attention.
Do not take this medicine if you have a history of severe allergic reactions to lincomycin or similar antibiotics. Before starting treatment, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, or gastrointestinal disorders such as colitis, as these conditions may require closer monitoring. Lincomycin is generally not recommended for newborn infants under one month of age, and it is not used to treat meningitis because it does not reach adequate levels in the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord, and safer, more effective antibiotics are available for infections of the brain and spinal cord.
This medication can interact with other drugs, including muscle relaxants used during surgery, which is why you must share your complete medication list with your doctor. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or an older adult, talk to your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks and benefits before starting treatment.
Uses of Lincomycin
Medicinal Benefits
Lincomycin is an antibiotic that treats serious bacterial infections by stopping the growth of harmful bacteria. It helps control the infection quickly and supports a faster recovery, particularly in patients who require injectable treatment.
- Treats Serious Bacterial Infections: Helps eliminate bacteria responsible for severe infections affecting different parts of the body.
- Provides Rapid Infection Control: As an injectable medicine, it reaches the bloodstream quickly, helping control the spread of infection.
- Relieves Infection Symptoms: Helps reduce fever, pain, swelling, and other symptoms associated with bacterial infections.
- Supports Faster Recovery: By clearing the infection effectively, it helps restore strength and allows you to return to your normal activities sooner.
- Suitable When Oral Medicines Cannot Be Taken: Provides an effective treatment option for patients who are unable to take oral antibiotics due to severe illness or persistent vomiting.
Directions for Use
- Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication to ensure safety.
- Lincomycin will be administered by the doctor or healthcare professional.
- Do not self-administer.
Storage
Side Effects of Lincomycin
Common Side Effects (Usually mild)
- Nausea or vomiting
- Upset stomach or mild diarrhoea
- Pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site
- Vaginal itching or discharge
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away)
- Severe, watery, or bloody diarrhoea with stomach cramps, which may be a sign of Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhoea
- (CDAD), a serious inflammation of the bowel that requires prompt medical attention
- Signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, and throat
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes (signs of liver damage)
- Unusual bruising, bleeding, or extreme fatigue
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Check the solution: Always inspect the liquid in the vial before injecting. Do not use it if it is cloudy, discoloured, or contains visible particles.
- Rotate injection sites: If you are receiving intramuscular injections, rotate the injection site each time to minimise pain, tissue damage, or scarring.
- Practice safe disposal: Dispose of all needles, syringes, and empty vials in an approved sharps container immediately after use. Never reuse needles.
- Complete the full course: Even if you feel completely healthy within a few days, finish the entire course of treatment prescribed by your doctor to prevent the infection from returning.
- Monitor your bowel habits: Severe diarrhoea during treatment or even several weeks after stopping Lincomycin may be a sign of Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhoea (CDAD). Contact your healthcare provider immediately and do not self-treat with over-the-counter anti-diarrhoeal medicines unless advised by your doctor.
Drug Interactions
Inform your doctor about all prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements you are taking before starting Lincomycin. Important interactions include:
- Neuromuscular blockers: May increase the muscle-relaxing effects of these medicines, increasing the risk of breathing difficulties.
- Erythromycin: These antibiotics may reduce each other's effectiveness when used together and are generally not recommended in combination.
- Other antibiotics: Certain antibiotics may alter the effectiveness of Lincomycin or increase the risk of side effects. Your doctor will decide whether they can be used together.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
safe if prescribedLincomycin should not be taken until prescribed if you are taking alcohol. Keep your doctor informed if you drink alcohol.
Pregnancy
unsafeThere is insufficient information available about the use of Lincomycin during pregnancy. Therefore you should not use Lincomycin during pregnancy unless explicitly advised by your doctor.
Breast Feeding
unsafeLincomycin is partially passed through the mother’s milk. Therefore it should not be used if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
safe if prescribedThere are no data available about the influence of Lincomycin on the ability to drive or operate machines. However, Lincomycin may cause dizziness and seizures, so make sure you are not affected before driving or operating machinery.
Liver
cautionYou should tell your doctor if you have liver problems as your doctor may need to alter the normal dose.
Kidney
cautionYou should tell your doctor if you have kidney problems as your doctor may need to alter the normal dose.
Children
cautionLincomycin to be taken with caution, especially if you are children below the age of 12. Your doctor may adjust your dose depending upon your age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help your kidneys process the medication and support your overall recovery.
- Support your gut health: Antibiotics can disrupt your natural gut bacteria. Consider eating yoghurt or taking a probiotic supplement after consulting with your doctor to help maintain a healthy digestive system.
- Rest thoroughly: Allow your body to rest as much as possible so your immune system can focus on fighting the infection.
Eat nutrient-rich foods: Focus on a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals to help rebuild your strength and support tissue repair.
Special Advise
A bacteria culture test is done to check the type of bacterial infection.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Bacterial infection: A bacterial infection is a condition in which harmful bacteria enter, multiply, and infect our body. It can target any body part and multiple very quickly. When you get infected with bacteria, you can experience generalized symptoms, like fevers, chills, and fatigue. Bacteria are of various forms comprising commonly of spherical, rod, and spiral-shaped. Bacterial infections vary from minor illnesses like sore throat and ear infections to severe brain infections like meningitis and encephalitis. Few harmful bacteria that cause infections include Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and E. coli. Anyone can become infected with a bacterial infection. But, people with weak immune systems or taking immunosuppressive medicine can make them more prone to bacterial infection.
FAQs
Lincomycin is used to treat various bacterial infections of the respiratory system (like pneumonia, bronchitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, and sinusitis), skin, ear infections, and sexually transmitted infections.
Do not take antacids that contain aluminium or magnesium hydroxide within 2 hours before or after you take Lincomycin. These antacids can interact with Lincomycin and make them less effective when taken at the same time.
Never stop the treatment with Lincomycin on your own as the infection may come back again (relapse) if the prescribed treatment is not completely taken before stopping Lincomycin once discuss this with your doctor.
Lincomycin can cause diarrhoea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhoea that is watery or bloody, call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhoea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
You should avoid taking Lincomycin if you have colitis (intestine inflammation), heart rhythm disorder, liver disease (like jaundice), and muscle problem (like myasthenia gravis). Contact your doctor if you have these conditions before taking Lincomycin.
Lincomycin is a Schedule H drug that can be taken only if your doctor has prescribed it. Taking it on your own or self-medication can cause unwanted side-effects and lead to antibiotic resistance, thereby lowering its efficiency.
Yes, in some cases, people using Lincomycin may get fungal skin infection known as thrush. It happens because Lincomycin also kills harmless bacteria that protects against thrush.
Clinical evidence suggests that Lincomycin does not affect the working of any oral birth control pills and contraceptives devices.
A person should tell their doctor if they have asthma, an intestinal disorder like colitis, severe allergies, and liver or kidney disease. In this condition, the doctor will prescribe the medication after checking the medical condition of the patient.
Lincomycin may make bacterial vaccine-like typhoid vaccine not work well, so it is best to avoid taking any vaccine while taking Lincomycin.
Lincomycin may be considered as an alternative for some people with a penicillin allergy, depending on the type of infection and the nature of the allergic reaction. However, your doctor will decide whether it is the most appropriate antibiotic, as other antibiotics, including clindamycin, may be preferred in many situations. Always inform your doctor about any previous allergic reactions to antibiotics before starting treatment.
This medicine is injected either into a muscle or slowly infused into a vein. It is typically given by a healthcare professional in a clinic or hospital setting. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about how your therapy will be managed.
Mild diarrhoea can occur with antibiotics. However, if you develop severe, watery, or bloody diarrhoea with stomach cramps, contact your healthcare provider immediately, as this may be a sign of Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhoea (CDAD). Do not take over-the-counter anti-diarrhoeal medicines unless your doctor advises you to do so.
Alcohol does not directly reduce the effectiveness of Lincomycin, but it may worsen dehydration and slow your recovery from a serious infection. It is best to avoid alcohol during treatment. If you have liver disease or regularly consume alcohol, discuss this with your doctor before starting Lincomycin so your treatment can be planned appropriately.
This medication should only be used during pregnancy if clearly needed and prescribed by a doctor. Your healthcare provider will weigh the benefits against any potential risks to your baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
No, you must complete the entire course of treatment prescribed by your doctor, even if you feel completely better. Stopping early can allow the remaining bacteria to multiply and become resistant to the antibiotic. Talk to your doctor before making any changes to your therapy.
No, Lincomycin is an antibiotic that only kills bacteria. It is completely ineffective against viral infections like the common cold, flu, or COVID-19. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about appropriate treatments for viral illnesses.
Author Details
