Lincomycin (Lincocin) is an injectable man-made antibiotic. Lincomycin kills bacteria by interfering with the ability of bacteria to produce important proteins necessary for them to survive. Lincomycin is effective against many types of bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Propionibacterium acnes, and others. The FDA approved lincomycin in December 1964.
 

WARNING (Black Box): Rare but sometimes fatal intestinal problems have occurred (pseudomembranous colitis) with use of lincomycin. Therefore, it should only be used to treat serious infections where less toxic antibiotics are not appropriate. It should not be used to treat nonbacterial infections such as upper respiratory infections.

Side effects of lincomycin are:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Rash
• Itching

Like other antibiotics lincomycin can alter the normal bacteria in the colon and encourage overgrowth of some bacteria such as Clostridium difficile which causes inflammation of the colon (pseudomembranous colitis).

Patients who develop signs of pseudomembranous colitis after treatment with lincomycin should contact their doctor or other health care professional immediately. Symptoms may include:

• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Abdominal pain
• Shock

 Each capsule contains: