Lincomycin

Lincomycin is a lincosamide antibacterial used for selected susceptible gram-positive, anaerobic and Mycoplasma infections. Veterinary applications include swine respiratory, joint and enteric disease and some companion-animal skin infections. Its spectrum and availability differ from those of clindamycin, the other commonly used veterinary lincosamide.

Group

Lincosamide antibacterial

Mechanism of Action

Lincomycin binds the 50S bacterial ribosomal subunit and inhibits peptide-chain elongation during protein synthesis. This usually produces bacteriostatic activity, with the effect determined by organism susceptibility and drug exposure. The binding region overlaps that of some macrolides and related agents. Its spectrum includes selected gram-positive organisms, mycoplasmas and susceptible enteric pathogens relevant to swine disease.

Dose Rates

Dogs

Use / stage	Dose	Route	Schedule	Instructions
Susceptible bacterial infection	22 mg/kg	PO	Every 12 h
Susceptible bacterial infection	22 mg/kg	IV	Every 24 h	Administer slowly.
Susceptible bacterial infection	11 mg/kg	IV	Every 12 h	Divided-dose alternative; administer slowly.
Skin and soft-tissue infection	15.4 mg/kg	PO	Every 8 h	Superficial pyoderma courses 21-42 days; deep/resistant infection may require 56 days.
Superficial pyoderma	20 mg/kg	PO	Every 12 h
Susceptible bacterial infection	22 mg/kg	IM, SC	Every 24 h	Up to 12 days
Susceptible bacterial infection	11 mg/kg	IM, SC	Every 12 h	Up to 12 days
Bacteraemia or sepsis	11–22 mg/kg	IV	Every 8 h	Up to 12 days; Dilute and infuse slowly.

Cats

Use / stage	Dose	Route	Schedule	Instructions
Susceptible bacterial infection	22 mg/kg	PO	Every 12 h
Susceptible bacterial infection	22 mg/kg	IV	Every 24 h	Administer slowly.
Susceptible bacterial infection	11 mg/kg	IV	Every 12 h	Divided-dose alternative; administer slowly.
Skin and soft-tissue infection	11 mg/kg	IM	Every 12 h	Up to 12 days
Skin and soft-tissue infection	22 mg/kg	IM	Every 24 h	Up to 12 days
Systemic bacterial infection	15 mg/kg	PO	Every 8 h	Up to 12 days

Pigs

Use / stage	Dose	Route	Schedule	Instructions
Swine dysentery	Reference only	PO		250 mg per gallon drinking water as the only water reported guidance for 5-10 days; reported guidance estimates about 8.4 mg/kg/day. Actual water intake controls exposure, so the estimate is not an exact universal dose.
Mycoplasma infection	11 mg/kg	IM	Every 24 h	Up to 7 days; Course 3-5 days. Separate 3-7-day source alternative.

Cattle

Use / stage	Dose	Route	Schedule	Instructions
Historical septic arthritis, mastitis and abscess treatment	5 mg/kg	IM	Every 24 h	Up to 7 days; Reported course 5-7 days; current monograph does not recommend routine use.
Historical refractory infection treatment	10 mg/kg	IM	Every 12 h	Current monograph does not recommend routine use.

Sheep

Use / stage	Dose	Route	Schedule	Instructions
Historical septic arthritis treatment	5 mg/kg	IM	Every 24 h	Up to 5 days; Reported course 3-5 days; current monograph does not recommend routine use.

Ferrets

Use / stage	Dose	Route	Schedule	Instructions
Susceptible bacterial infection	10–15 mg/kg	PO	Every 8 h
Susceptible bacterial infection	10 mg/kg	IM	Every 12 h

Indications

Treatment of selected susceptible gram-positive skin and soft-tissue infections in dogs and cats.
Treatment of susceptible mycoplasmal pneumonia or infectious arthritis in pigs with a corresponding product.
Treatment or control of swine dysentery caused by susceptible Brachyspira hyodysenteriae.
Treatment or control of porcine proliferative enteropathy associated with susceptible Lawsonia intracellularis.
Treatment of selected poultry mycoplasmal infections within an indicated lincomycin-containing regimen.

Contraindications

Oral use in horses, rabbits, rodents and ruminants can cause severe or fatal enteritis.

Interactions

Cross-resistance with macrolides and clindamycin may occur.

Adverse effects

Vomiting and diarrhoea
Severe dysbiosis and enteritis in susceptible herbivores

Toxicity

Stop treatment for severe gastrointestinal reactions; assess hydration and enteritis.

Preparations

Preparation	Form	Strength	Route
Lincomycin 100 mg tablet	Tablet	100 mg / tablet	PO
Lincomycin 200 mg tablet	Tablet	200 mg / tablet	PO
Lincomycin 500 mg tablet	Tablet	500 mg / tablet	PO
Lincomycin 25 mg/mL injection	Injection	25 mg / mL	IV, IM
Lincomycin 50 mg/mL injection	Injection	50 mg / mL	IV, IM
Lincomycin 100 mg/mL injection	Injection	100 mg / mL	IV, IM
Lincomycin 300 mg/mL injection	Injection	300 mg / mL	IV, IM
Lincomycin 50 mg/mL oral drops	Oral Liquid	50 mg / mL	PO

Monitoring and Administration

Use susceptibility testing when feasible.

Give IV injections slowly. Source ruminant injection regimens are historical and the monograph states that these uses are not currently recommended.

Canine pyoderma alternative totals 40-50 mg/kg/day split into two or three doses; do not give the whole daily total at each administration. Swine feed medication is described as 200 g/ton for 21 days; actual feed intake and the ton definition must be established.