LINCOMYCIN

Brand & Generic Names

Lincocin

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Antibiotic (lincomycin)

Uses

Treatment of bacterial infections that are susceptible to lincomycin.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Capsule--Swallow with liquid 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating.

When to take:
At the same times each day.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Destroys susceptible bacteria. Does not kill viruses.

Time lapse before drug works:
3 to 5 days.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.

WHAT TO DO:

Overdose unlikely to threaten life. If person takes much larger amount than prescribed, call doctor, poison-control center or hospital emergency room for instructions.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

Hives, wheezing, Seek emergency treatment. faintness, itching, coma.

Common:

Bloating.

Infrequent:

• Unusual thirst; vomiting; stomach cramps; severe and watery diarrhea with blood or mucus; painful, swollen joints; jaundice; fever; tiredness; weakness; weight loss.
• Rash; itch around groin, rectum or armpits; white patches in mouth; vaginal discharge, itching.

Rare:

Skin rash.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are allergic to lincomycins.
• You have had ulcerative colitis.
• Prescribed for infant under 1 month old.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have had yeast infections of mouth, skin or vagina.
• If you will have surgery within 2 months, including dental surgery, requiring general or spinal anesthesia.
• If you have kidney or liver disease.
• If you have allergies of any kind.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons.

Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.

Infants & children:
Don't give to infants younger than 1 month. Use for children only under medical supervision.

Prolonged use:

• Severe colitis with diarrhea and bleeding.
• You may become more susceptible to infections caused by germs not responsive to lincomycin.
• Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies to check proctosigmoidoscopy.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
No problems expected.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without doctor's advice until you complete prescribed dose, even though symptoms diminish or disappear.

Others:
May interfere with the accuracy of some medical tests.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Antidiarrheal	Decreased lincomycin effect.
Attapulgite	May decrease effectiveness of
	lincomycin.
Chloramphenicol	Decreased lincomycin effect.
Erythromycins*	Decreased lincomycin effect.
Narcotics*	Increased risk of respiratory
	problems.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	None expected.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	None expected.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	None expected.
Tobacco:	None expected.