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Overview: Lincomycin is an antibiotic that is used to treat certain serious infections caused by bacteria. Common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Tell your health care provider right away if you get a rash during your treatment with this medicine or severe diarrhea, even several months after stopping the medicine.

Uses

What is lincomycin used for?

Lincomycin is an antibiotic that is commonly used for certain serious infections caused by bacteria when a penicillin antibiotic is not an option, such as in people with a penicillin allergy.

Lincomycin may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

Lincomycin may not be the right drug for some infections, depending on which germs are causing the infection. Bacteria in some locations may have developed resistance to lincomycin, which will make it not work as well.

How does lincomycin work (mechanism of action)?

Lincomycin stops certain types of bacteria from making proteins they need to grow and multiply.

How is lincomycin supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Lincocin

Dosage forms and strengths

Lincomycin is available in an injectable form that is given by a health care provider.

How should I store lincomycin?

Lincomycin is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. If you will store lincomycin at home, follow the instructions given by your health care provider.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of lincomycin?

The most common side effects of lincomycin are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Diarrhea 
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Stomach discomfort
  • Pain, irritation, and swelling at the injection site

There may be other side effects of lincomycin that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of lincomycin?

While less common, the most serious side effects of lincomycin are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Lincomycin may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using lincomycin and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea. An overgrowth of germs called Clostridioides difficile, or C. diff, can happen in your gut with many types of antibiotics, including lincomycin. This can cause a condition known as antibiotic-associated diarrhea and can happen even two months or more after stopping the antibiotic. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of this condition.

  • Watery diarrhea
  • Diarrhea that does not go away
  • Blood in your stool (poop)
  • Severe stomach cramps
  • Fever that starts after you start or finish the medicine

Severe Skin Reactions. Lincomycin can cause severe skin reactions, called Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), or erythema multiforme, that can lead to death if not treated. If you get a rash, call your health care provider right away. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • Painful red or purple skin that looks burned and peels off
  • Flat red rash or blisters on your skin, mouth, nose, and genitals
  • Red, painful, watery eyes
  • Flu-like symptoms, including fever, chills, and muscle aches

Gasping Syndrome (Benzyl Alcohol Toxicity). Lincomycin contains a preservative, called benzyl alcohol. Benzyl alcohol may lead to gasping syndrome in young children. Premature and low birth weight infants may be more likely to develop gasping syndrome. Gasping syndrome can be fatal. Get emergency help if you notice any of the following symptoms in your child.

  • Gasping or difficulty breathing
  • Drowsiness
  • Decreased activity
  • Seizures

Another Infection. Using lincomycin may lead to an infection with other types of germs, such as fungi. Call your health care provider if your infection does not improve or gets worse.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use lincomycin?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use lincomycin.

  • Clindamycin
  • Lincocin
  • Lincomycin
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific lincomycin products they stock.

What should I know about lincomycin before using it?

Lincomycin is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic.

Lincomycin only treats certain infections caused by bacteria. It will not work for infections caused by viruses, such as the common cold, the flu, or coronavirus. It also will not work for any other infections that are not caused by bacteria. Using lincomycin or any other antibiotic when it is not needed may cause the antibiotic to not work for bacterial infections in the future.

What should I tell my health care provider before using lincomycin?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if lincomycin is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Lincomycin may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using lincomycin, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Bowel or stomach problems, especially ulcerative colitis
  • Asthma
  • Allergies
  • Liver or kidney problems

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how lincomycin could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. Lincomycin passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should stop breastfeeding or stop lincomycin.

Interactions

Does lincomycin interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between lincomycin and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect lincomycin, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight infection. 

Does lincomycin interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Lincomycin may interact with certain medicines. Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much lincomycin?

If you or someone else has used too much lincomycin, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of lincomycin?

Lincomycin is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital. Your health care provider will make sure you are receiving lincomycin as scheduled.

If you miss an appointment to get your lincomycin dose, call to make another appointment as soon as possible.

It is important to complete your prescribed course of lincomycin, even if your symptoms get better or go away. This will reduce the risk that future infections are resistant to lincomycin or other similar medicines.