Last reviewed 2026-04-20 · How we verify

Lincocin (LINCOMYCIN)

Lincocin (Lincomycin) is a small molecule antibiotic in the lincomycin class, originally developed by Pharmacia and Upjohn and currently owned by Pfizer. It was FDA-approved in 1964 for the treatment of pneumococcal, staphylococcal, and streptococcal infectious diseases. Lincocin is off-patent and has multiple generic manufacturers. The drug has a half-life of 5.6 hours and bioavailability of 25%. It is used to treat bacterial infections caused by susceptible organisms.

At a glance

Approved indications

• Pneumococcal infectious disease
• Staphylococcal infectious disease
• Streptococcal infectious disease

Boxed warnings

• WARNING Clostridioides difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported with use of nearly all antibacterial agents, including lincomycin and may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon leading to overgrowth of C. difficile. Because lincomycin therapy has been associated with severe colitis which may end fatally, it should be reserved for serious infections where less toxic antimicrobial agents are inappropriate, as described in the INDICATIONS AND USAGE section. It should not be used in patients with nonbacterial infections such as most upper respiratory tract infections. C. diffficile produces toxins A and B which contribute to the development of CDAD. Hypertoxin producing strains of C. difficile cause increased morbidity and mortality, as these infections can be refractory to antimicrobial therapy and may require colectomy. CDAD must be considered in all patients who present with diarrhea following antibacterial use. Careful medical history is necessary since CDAD has been reported to occur over two months after the administration of antibacterial agents. If CDAD is suspected or confirmed, ongoing antibacterial use not directed against C. difficile may need to be discontinued. Appropriate fluid and electrolyte management, protein supplementation, antibacterial treatment of C. difficile , and surgical evaluation should be instituted as clinically indicated.

Common side effects

• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Glossitis
• Stomatitis
• Abdominal pain
• Abdominal discomfort
• Anal pruritus
• Toxic epidermal necrolysis
• Stevens-Johnson syndrome
• Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis
• Dermatitis bullous

Key clinical trials

• Utility of Single-dose Oral Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Prevention of Surgical Site Infection in Dermatologic Surgery (PHASE4)
• Enhanced Dermatological Care to Reduce Rash and Paronychia in Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGRF)-Mutated Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Treated First-line With Amivantamab Plus Lazertinib (PHASE2)
• Short Versus Standard of Care Antibiotic Duration for Children Hospitalized for CAP (PHASE4)
• Oral Antimicrobial Treatment vs. Outpatient Parenteral for Infective Endocarditis (PHASE4)
• Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Commonly Used Drugs in Lactating Women and Breastfed Infants
• Use of Antibiotic Irrigation to Decrease Wound Infections in Pediatric Perforated Appendicitis (PHASE2)
• Clindamycin as an Alternative to Vancomycin in Patients Undergoing Aortic Cardiac Surgery With Extracorporeal Circulation (ECC) (PHASE2)
• Positioning Second-line Therapies for Pneumocystis Jirovecii Pneumonia (PCP Alternatives) (PHASE4)

Primary sources

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