USES

These antibiotics are effective in the treatment of infections caused by a wide range of gram-negative and grampositive microorganisms. The lincosamides are used for the more serious infections. In serious infections they may be used in conjunction with other antibiotics.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

Abdominal pain, esophagitis, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, skin rash, and blood dyscrasias may be seen with the use of the lincosamides. These drugs also can cause pseudomembranous colitis, which may range from mild to very severe. Discontinuing the drug may relieve mild symptoms of pseudomembranouscolitis.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

The lincosamides are contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to the lincosamides, those with minor bacterial or viral infections, and during lactation and infancy.

PRECAUTIONS

It is important to use these drugs with caution in patients with a history of gastrointestinal disorders, renal disease, or liver impairment. The neuromuscular blocking action of the lincosamides poses a danger to patients with myasthenia gravis (an autoimmune disease manifested by extreme weakness and exhaustion of the muscles).

INTERACTIONS

When kaolin or aluminum is administered with the lincosamides, the absorption of the lincosamide is decreased. When the lincosamides are administered with the neuromuscular blocking drugs (drugs that are used as adjuncts to anesthetic drugs that cause paralysis of the respiratory system) the action of the neuromuscular blocking drug is enhanced, possibly leading to severe and profound respiratory depression.

This class has activity against gram-positive aerobes and anaerobes (bacteria that can live without oxygen), as well as some gram-negative anaerobes. The lincomycin derivatives may be used to treat serious infections like pelvic inflammatory disease, intra-abdominal infections, lower respiratory tract infections, and bone and joint infections. These drugs include:

• clindamycin (Cleocin)

• lincomycin (Lincocin)