lincomycin

Lincomycin is a lincosamide antibiotic produced by fermentation of the actinomycete Streptomyces lincolnensis. It is primarily used to treat serious bacterial infections caused by susceptible strains of streptococci, pneumococci, and staphylococci in patients who are allergic to penicillins or when penicillin therapy is inappropriate. Lincomycin acts by binding to the 50S subunit of the bacterial ribosome and inhibiting protein synthesis through prevention of peptide bond formation. This action can be bacteriostatic or bactericidal depending on drug concentration and organism susceptibility. Lincomycin exhibits cross-resistance with clindamycin due to similar mechanisms of action and resistance (methylation of 23S rRNA). Because of its adverse effect profile and toxicity risk (notably severe diarrhea due to C. difficile), it is reserved for cases where safer antibiotics cannot be used[1][2][3][5][7].

Brand names

LincocinLincorexL-MycinBactramycin

Other names

lincomycin