Common use

Lincocin is an antibiotic that is used to treat severe bacterial infections in people who cannot use penicillin antibiotics. Lincocin is used only for a severe infection. Lincocin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Dosage and direction

Lincocin is injected into a muscle, or as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give your first dose and may teach you how to properly use the medication by yourself.
When injected into a vein, Lincocin must be given slowly, and the infusion can take at least 1 hour to complete.
Lincocin is sometimes given as an injection into your eye. Your doctor will use a medicine to numb your eye before giving you the injection. You will receive this injection in your doctor's office or other clinic setting.
Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses can increase your risk of infection that is resistant to medication.

Precautions

Antibiotic medicine can cause overgrowth of normally harmless bacteria in the intestines. This can lead to an infection that causes mild to severe diarrhea, even months after your last antibiotic dose. Call your doctor at the first sign of diarrhea during and shortly after your treatment with Lincocin.
If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, stop using Lincocin and call your doctor right away. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to. Stopping the diarrhea can make an intestinal infection worse.

Contraindications

You should not be treated with Lincocin if you are allergic to Lincocin or clindamycin.
Before you receive Lincocin, tell your doctor if you have a history of intestinal disorder such as ulcerative colitis.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had: asthma; an intestinal disorder such as colitis; severe allergies; or liver or kidney disease.
It is not known whether Lincocin will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.
It may not be safe to breast-feed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Possible side effect

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).
Lincocin may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have: severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody (even if it occurs months after your last dose); little or no urination; blisters or ulcers in your mouth, red or swollen gums, trouble swallowing; jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or low blood cell counts--fever, chills, tiredness, skin sores, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath.
Older adults and those who are ill or debilitated may be more sensitive to the effects of diarrhea caused by this medication.
Common side effects include: diarrhea, stomach pain; nausea, vomiting, swollen or painful tongue; vaginal itching or discharge; mild itching or rash; ringing in your ears; or dizziness.

Drug interaction

Other drugs may affect Lincocin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Missed dose

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention.

Storage

Store at room temperature between 59-77 degrees F (15-25 degrees C), away from heat, kids and pets. Do not use after expiration term.