Practical information on using lincosamides

The lincosamides clindamycin and lincomycin are active against most gram-positive aerobic bacteria (but not Enterococcus species) and most gram-positive and gram-negative anaerobic bacteria. Clindamycin may be active against Cutibacterium acnes (formerly Propionibacterium acnes). Despite limited clinical evidence, lincosamides are used to reduce bacterial toxin production in necrotising skin and soft tissue infections and toxic shock syndromes.

There are more clinical and microbiological data to support the use of clindamycin than lincomycin. Intravenous lincomycin can be used at an equivalent dosage if clindamycin is unavailable or if a local protocol recommends its use.

Clindamycin and lincomycin have similar adverse effects; they can both cause antibiotic-associated diarrhoea.