LoginLincocin
Generic Name: lincomycin hydrochloride
Product Name: Lincocin
Indication: What Lincocin is used for
Lincocin is an antibiotic used to treat serious infections in different parts of the body caused by certain bacteria.
The specific infections for which Lincocin is used include ear, throat and lung infections; skin infections; bone and joint infections; and infections of the blood.
Lincocin will not work against viral infections such as colds or flu.
Your doctor may have prescribed Lincocin for another reason. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Lincocin has been prescribed for you.
This medicine is available only with a doctor’s prescription.
Lincocin is not addictive.
Action: How Lincocin works
Lincocin works by killing or stopping the growth of bacteria causing your infection. The active ingredient in Lincocin is lincomycin hydrochloride.
In vitro studies indicate that the following organisms are usually sensitive to concentrations achieved normally in the serum following recommended doses:
- Staphylococcus aureus;
- Staphylococcus epidermidis;
- beta-haemolytic Streptococcus;
- Streptococcus viridans;
- Streptococcus pneumoniae;
- Clostridium tetani;
- Clostridium perfringens;
- Corynebacterium diphtheriae.
Note
The drug is not active against most strains of Enterococcus faecalis, nor against Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae or other gram-negative organisms or yeasts. Some strains of Clostridium perfringens and strains of some less common human pathogens of Clostridia may be lincomycin-resistant. Depending on the sensitivity of the organism and concentration of the antibiotic, it may be either bactericidal or bacteriostatic. Cross resistance has not been demonstrated with penicillin, chloramphenicol, ampicillin, cephalosporins or the tetracyclines. Despite chemical differences, Lincocin exhibits antibacterial activity similar but not identical to the macrolide antibiotics (e.g. erythromycin). Some cross-resistance (with erythromycin) including a phenomenon known as dissociated cross-resistance or macrolide effect has been reported. Microorganisms have not developed resistance to Lincocin rapidly when tested by in vitro or in vivo methods. Staphylococci develop resistance to Lincocin in a slow step-wise manner based on in vitro serial subculture experiments. Studies indicated that Lincocin does not share antigenicity with penicillin compounds.
Each 2 mL vial of Lincocin contains lincomycin hydrochloride equivalent to 600 mg of lincomycin.
Lincocin also contains benzyl alcohol and water for injections.
Dose advice: How to use Lincocin
Before you use Lincocin
Some information is provided below. However, always talk to your doctor if you have concerns or questions about your treatment.
When you must not use Lincocin
Do not use Lincocin if:
- You have an allergy to:
- Clindamycin or lincomycin;
- Any of the other ingredients listed here;
- Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include skin rash, itching or difficulty in breathing, wheezing or coughing (anaphylactic reactions). If you are not sure if you have or have had an allergic reaction to Lincocin, check with your doctor;
- The packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering;
- The expiry date (EXP) printed on the label has passed;
- You are breastfeeding. Lincocin may pass into the breast-milk so alternatives should be discussed with your doctor.
Lincocin is not to be given to a newborn baby.
If you are not sure about the use of Lincocin injection, talk to your doctor.
Before you start treatment with Lincocin
Tell your doctor if:
- You are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of using Lincocin during pregnancy;
- Your child to be treated was born prematurely;
- You have or have ever had any of the following conditions:
- Asthma;
- Any gastrointestinal (stomach or gut) problems;
- Any liver or kidney disease;
- You have ever had any other health problems or medical conditions;
- You have any allergies to any other medicines or any other substances such as foods, preservatives or dyes.
If you have not told your doctor or pharmacist about any of the above, do so before you start taking Lincocin injection.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
- Lincocin should not be given with erythromycin since these two medicines may interact;
- Lincocin should not be given with certain medicines due to physical incompatibility with Lincocin. These include kanamycin, novobiocin and phenytoin;
- Interference between Lincocin and neuromuscular blocking medicines (muscle-relaxing medicines) may occur.
Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you what to do if you are already taking any of these medicines. They also have a more complete list of medicines to be careful with or avoid while using Lincocin.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure if you are taking any of these medicines.
How to use Lincocin
Lincocin is administered by an infusion into a vein or an injection into a muscle. Do not administer this medicine to yourself.
How much to use
The dose and frequency of Lincocin that your doctor prescribes for you depends on your medical condition.
How long to use
Your doctor will continue giving you Lincocin for as long as your condition requires.
If a dose is missed
If a dose of Lincocin is missed, the next dose should be given at the normal time it is due.
If you are given too much (overdose)
Your doctor will ensure that you receive the correct dose of Lincocin. Never administer this medicine to yourself.
Immediately telephone your doctor or Poisons Information Centre (in Australia; tel 13 11 26, or in New Zealand; tel 0800 POISON or 0800 764 766), for advice, or go to Accident and Emergency (Casualty) at your nearest hospital if you think that you or anyone else may have been given too much Lincocin Injection. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention. Keep the telephone numbers for these services handy. Have the Lincocin Injection box or the information here available to give details if needed.
While using Lincocin
Things you must do
Advise your doctor immediately if you notice any unusual symptoms.
If you are about to start taking any new medicines, tell your doctor or pharmacist that you are taking Lincocin.
Tell all doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are being treated with Lincocin.
If the symptoms of your infection do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, tell your doctor.
If you get severe diarrhoea, tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse immediately. Do this even if it occurs several weeks after Lincocin has been stopped. Diarrhoea may mean that you have a serious condition affecting your bowel. You may need urgent medical care. Do not take any diarrhoea medicine without first checking with your doctor.
If you get a sore, white mouth or tongue while taking or soon after stopping Lincocin, tell your doctor. Also, tell your doctor if you get vaginal itching or discharge. This may mean you have a fungal/ yeast infection called thrush. Sometimes the use of Lincocin allows fungi/yeast to grow and the above symptoms to occur. Lincocin does not work against fungi/yeast.
If you become pregnant while you are taking Lincocin, tell your doctor.
After treatment with Lincocin
Storage
Normally, your doctor will get your Lincocin from the hospital pharmacy or their consulting rooms. If however, you do take your Lincocin from the pharmacy to your doctor, it is important to store your medicine in a safe place away from light and away from heat (below 25°C). Do not leave your Lincocin in a car.
If for any reason you take your Lincocin home, always ensure that it is stored in a place where children cannot reach it. Do not freeze Lincocin.
Disposal
If your doctor stops treating you with Lincocin, your hospital pharmacist will dispose of any unused medicine.
The expiry date is printed on the carton. Do not use Lincocin after this date has passed.
Schedule of Lincocin
Lincocin is a Schedule 4 – prescription only medicine.
Side effects of Lincocin
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if you have any concerns while using Lincocin, even if you do not think your concerns are connected with the medicine or are not listed here. All medicines can have side effects and Lincocin may have unwanted side effects in a few people. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are using Lincocin.
While being treated with Lincocin
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
- Oral thrush. White, furry, sore tongue and mouth;
- Vaginal thrush. Sore and itchy vagina and/or discharge;
- Sore mouth or tongue;
- Nausea and/or vomiting;
- Diarrhoea;
- Skin rash;
- Ringing in the ears;
- Dizziness;
- Pain or swelling at the injection site.
If these effects do not go away or they are worrying to you, tell your doctor.
Tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency (Casualty) at your nearest hospital if you experience any of the following:
- Allergic-type reactions e.g. skin rash, itching and difficulty breathing, wheezing or coughing (anaphylactic reactions);
- Severe diarrhoea;
- Severe stomach pains.
Lincocin can also cause: changes in blood cells, lowering of blood pressure.
After finishing treatment with Lincocin
Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following side effects, particularly if they occur several weeks after stopping treatment with Lincocin:
- Severe abdominal cramps or stomach cramps;
- Watery and severe diarrhoea, which may also be bloody;
- Fever, in combination with one or both of the above.
These are rare but serious side effects. Lincocin can cause bacteria which is normally present in the bowel and normally harmless, to multiply and cause the above symptoms. Therefore, you may need urgent medical attention. However, this side effect is rare.
Do not take any diarrhoea medicine without first checking with your doctor.
Tell your doctor if you notice any other effects. This is not a complete list of all possible side effects. Some people may get other side effects while being treated with Lincocin.
For further information talk to your doctor.
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