Lincomycin (Systemic)

Brand Names : Lincocin, Lincorex

Proper Use of This Medicine

Lincomycin is best taken with a full glass (8 ounces) of water on an empty stomach (either 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals), unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

To help clear up your infection completely, keep taking this medicine for the full time of treatment , even if you begin to feel better after a few days. If you have a ``strep'' infection, you should keep taking this medicine for at least 10 days. This is especially important in ``strep'" infections. Serious heart problems could develop later if your infection is not cleared up completely. Also, if you stop taking this medicine too soon, your symptoms may return.

This medicine works best when there is a constant amount in the blood. To help keep the amount constant, do not miss any doses. Also, it is best to take each dose at evenly spaced times day and night . For example, if you are to take 4 doses a day, doses should be spaced about 6 hours apart. If this interferes with your sleep or other daily activities, or if you need help in planning the best times to take your medicine, check with your health care professional.

Dosing - The dose of lincomycin will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of lincomycin. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For infections caused by bacteria:
  • For oral dosage form (capsules):
    • Adults and teenagers - 500 milligrams (mg) every six to eight hours.
    • Infants up to 1 month of age - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • Children 1 month of age and older - Dose is based on body weight. The usual dose is 7.5 to 15 mg per kilogram (kg) (3.4 to 6.8 mg per pound) of body weight every six hours; or 10 to 20 mg per kg (4.5 to 9.1 mg per pound) of body weight every eight hours.
  • For injection dosage form:
    • Adults and teenagers - 600 mg to 1 gram injected into a vein over at least one hour, every eight to twelve hours; or 600 mg injected into a muscle every twelve to twenty-four hours.
    • Infants up to 1 month of age - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • Children 1 month of age and older - Dose is based on body weight. The usual dose is 10 mg per kg (4.5 mg per pound) of body weight injected into a muscle every twelve to twenty-four hours; or 3.3 to 6.7 mg per kg (1.5 to 3 mg per pound) of body weight injected into a vein every eight hours; or 5 to 10 mg per kg (2.3 to 4.5 mg per pound) of body weight injected into a vein every twelve hours.

Missed dose - If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. This will help to keep a constant amount of medicine in the blood. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage - To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store the capsule form of this medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.