lincomycin Health Article

Generic name(s):

lincomycin

Brand name(s):

Bactramycin, Lincocin

What is the most important information I should know about lincomycin?

Before receiving lincomycin, tell your doctor if you have asthma or allergies, a stomach or intestinal disorder such as colitis, liver or kidney disease, or epilepsy or other seizure disorder.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

Serious side effects of lincomycin include fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips, severe blistering or peeling skin rash, feeling like you might pass out, easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, or urinating less than usual or not at all.

What is lincomycin?

Lincomycin is an antibiotic that fights serious infections caused by bacteria.

Lincomycin is used to treat severe bacterial infections in people who cannot receive penicillin antibiotics.

Lincomycin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before receiving lincomycin?

You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to lincomycin or clindamycin (Cleocin).

Before receiving lincomycin, tell your doctor if you have:

• asthma or allergies;

• a stomach or intestinal disorder, such as colitis;

• liver or kidney disease; or

• epilepsy or other seizure disorder.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to receive lincomycin, or you may need a dose adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Lincomycin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not receive this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How is lincomycin given?

Lincomycin is given as an injection into a muscle, or through a needle placed into a vein. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection. You may be given instructions on how to inject your medicine at home. Do not use this medicine at home if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of needles and other items used in giving the medicine.

Lincomycin is usually given every 12 to 24 hours. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Use each disposable needle only one time. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.

Use this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Lincomycin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood may need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested.

If you store this medication at home, keep at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since lincomycin is usually given by a healthcare professional, it is not likely that you will miss a dose. If you are using lincomycin at home, call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Tell your caregivers right away if you think you have received too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include chest pain, feeling light-headed, or fainting.