Lincomycin Dosage

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 1, 2023.

Usual Adult Dose for Bacterial Infection

IM:
Serious infections: 600 mg IM every 24 hours
More severe infections: 600 mg IM every 12 hours or more often

IV:
Serious infections: 600 to 1000 mg IV every 8 to 12 hours; may need to increase dose for more severe infections
Life-threatening infections: Up to 8 g IV per day, in divided doses
Maximum dose: 8 g/day

Subconjunctival injection: 75 mg subconjunctivally once

Comments:

• Dose should be based on the severity of the infection.
• This drug should be reserved for penicillin-allergic patients or patients for whom a penicillin is considered inappropriate.
• IV doses may be repeated as often as needed up to the maximum dose (8 g/day).
• A dose injected subconjunctivally results in ocular fluid levels that last at least 5 hours with MICs sufficient for most susceptible bacteria.

Uses: Treatment of serious infections due to susceptible strains of streptococci, pneumococci, and staphylococci

Usual Pediatric Dose for Bacterial Infection

Over 1 month of age:
IM:
Serious infections: 10 mg/kg IM every 24 hours
More severe infections: 10 mg/kg IM every 12 hours or more often

IV: 10 to 20 mg/kg IV per day, in divided doses (as for adults)

Comments:

• Dose should be based on the severity of the infection.
• This drug should be reserved for penicillin-allergic patients or patients for whom a penicillin is considered inappropriate.

Uses: Treatment of serious infections due to susceptible strains of streptococci, pneumococci, and staphylococci

Renal Dose Adjustments

Severe renal dysfunction: 25% to 30% of the usual dose; caution is recommended

Comments: Serum drug levels should be monitored during high-dose therapy in patients with severe renal dysfunction.

Liver Dose Adjustments

Caution is recommended.

Comments: Serum drug levels should be monitored during high-dose therapy in patients with liver dysfunction.

Precautions

US BOXED WARNING:
CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE ASSOCIATED DIARRHEA (CDAD):

• CDAD reported with almost all antibiotics; ranges from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. Antibacterial therapy alters normal flora of the colon leading to overgrowth of C difficile.
• This drug has been associated with severe colitis which may end fatally; it should be reserved for serious infections where less toxic antimicrobial agents are inappropriate. This drug should not be used in patients with nonbacterial infections (e.g., most upper respiratory tract infections).
• C difficile produces toxins that contribute to CDAD development. Hypertoxin-producing strains of C difficile cause increased morbidity and mortality; these infections can be resistant to antimicrobial therapy and may require colectomy. CDAD should be considered in all patients who present with diarrhea after antibiotic use; careful medical history needed as CDAD has occurred over 2 months after antibacterial use.
• Antibiotics not directed against C difficile may need to be stopped if CDAD suspected or confirmed; appropriate fluid and electrolyte management, protein supplementation, antibiotic treatment of C difficile, and surgical evaluation recommended as clinically indicated.

Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients younger than 1 month.

Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.

Dialysis

Data not available

Comments: Serum drug levels not significantly affected by hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis

Other Comments

Administration advice:

• Use for lincomycin-sensitive microorganisms only
• Due to the risk of CDAD, consider the nature of the infection and if less toxic alternatives may be appropriate before using this drug.
• Do not administer undiluted as an IV bolus injection; infuse over at least 60 minutes.
• Do not exceed an infusion rate of 1 g per hour; do not exceed a concentration of 10 mg/mL. Severe cardiopulmonary events reported when the recommended concentration and rate were exceeded.
• May coadminister with other antimicrobial agents when indicated
• Do not use in the treatment of meningitis; drug levels in CSF may be inadequate.
• Do not use for the treatment of minor bacterial infections or viral infections.

Storage requirements:

• Store at controlled room temperature 20C to 25C (68F to 77F)

Reconstitution/preparation techniques:

• The manufacturer product information should be consulted.

IV compatibility:

• The manufacturer product information should be consulted for physically compatible infusion solutions, vitamins in infusion solutions, and antibacterial agents in infusion solutions.
• Physically incompatible: Novobiocin, kanamycin

General:

• Culture and susceptibility information should be considered when selecting treatment or, if no data are available, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may be considered when selecting empiric therapy.
• Antibacterial therapy plus incision and drainage or other surgical procedures may be required for some infections.

Monitoring:

• Gastrointestinal: For change in bowel frequency in severely ill elderly patients
• Hematologic: Blood counts (periodically during prolonged therapy)
• Hepatic: Liver function tests (periodically during prolonged therapy)
• Renal: Kidney function tests (periodically during prolonged therapy)

Patient advice:

• Avoid missing doses and complete the entire course of therapy.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer