Product Description

Lincocin Soluble Powder is indicated for the treatment and metaphylaxis of specific bacterial infections in pigs and chickens. The presence of disease in the group must be established before the product is used. Where possible, therapy should be based on identification of the target pathogen and susceptibility testing of bacteria isolated from the animals; if this is not possible, therapy should be based on local (regional, farm level) epidemiological information concerning the response of the condition to treatment with lincomycin. Official, national and regional antimicrobial policies should be taken into account.

For Pigs:

Treatment and metaphylaxis of enzootic pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae

The presence of the disease in the group must be established before the product is used

For Chickens:

Treatment and metaphylaxis of necrotic enteritis caused by Clostridium perfringens

The presence of the disease in the group must be established before the product is used

Which Animals Can Use Lincocin Soluble Powder?

Lincocin Soluble Powder is licensed for use in pigs and chickens only. It must not be used in animals with known hypersensitivity to lincomycin or any excipient, in animals with known resistance to lincosamides, or in cases of hepatic dysfunction. Critically, this product must never be administered to, or made accessible to, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, chinchillas, horses, or ruminants — ingestion of lincomycin by these species may cause severe gastrointestinal disturbance. Ensure no other animals have access to medicated water at any time. Always use only under the direction of your vet.

Available Strengths & Sizes

Not all pack sizes may be marketed. Once opened, use the contents immediately — do not store opened powder for later use. Shelf life after dilution according to directions: 24 hours — medicated drinking water must be freshly prepared every 24 hours and any unconsumed medicated water discarded.

Directions for Use

Lincocin Soluble Powder is a prescription medication and must be used exactly as directed by your veterinary surgeon. The powder is for use in drinking water only and must be dissolved in water before administration. Medicated water must be the sole source of drinking water for all treated animals for the entire treatment duration. After the end of the treatment period, the water supply system should be cleaned appropriately to avoid subsequent intake of sub-therapeutic amounts of the active substance. Body weight should be determined as accurately as possible to ensure correct dosage; water intake should be monitored frequently during treatment. Medicated drinking water must be freshly prepared every 24 hours. Do not mix with any other veterinary medicinal product. Refer to the dispensing label and product datasheet for full dosing calculations.

Treatment duration:

Pigs (enzootic pneumonia): 21 consecutive days

Chickens (necrotic enteritis): 7 consecutive days

Contraindications

Source: SPC Section 4.3

Do not use in cases of hypersensitivity to lincomycin or to any of the excipients (colloidal anhydrous silica, lactose monohydrate)

Do not administer, and do not allow access to water containing lincomycin, to rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, chinchillas, horses, or ruminants — ingestion by these species may cause severe gastrointestinal disturbance

Do not use in cases of known resistance to lincosamides

Do not use in cases of hepatic dysfunction

Storage & Handling

No special storage conditions are required. Once opened, use the pack contents immediately. Shelf life after dilution according to directions: 24 hours — discard any unconsumed medicated water after 24 hours. Do not mix with any other veterinary medicinal product. Keep out of the sight and reach of children at all times.

Withdrawal periods:

Pigs — Meat and offal: 1 day

Chickens — Meat and offal: 5 days

Not for use in birds producing or intended to produce eggs for human consumption

Important Warnings

Source: SPC Sections 4.4, 4.5, 4.7 & 4.8

Disease must be confirmed before use: The presence of disease in the group must be established before the product is used; it must not be used in the absence of confirmed disease

Antimicrobial stewardship: Use deviating from SPC instructions may increase the prevalence of bacteria resistant to lincomycin and decrease the effectiveness of treatment with other lincosamides, macrolides, and streptogramin B due to the potential for cross-resistance; repeated or prolonged use should be avoided by improving farm management and hygiene practices; official, national and regional antimicrobial policies must be taken into account

Susceptibility testing limitations: The susceptibility of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae to antimicrobial agents is difficult to test in vitro owing to technical constraints; there is also a lack of clinical breakpoints for both M. hyopneumoniae and C. perfringens; where possible, therapy should be based on local epidemiological information

Cross-resistance: Resistance to lincomycin frequently leads to cross-resistance to other antimicrobials within the macrolides, lincosamides, and streptogramins (MLS) group; there is often complete cross-resistance between lincomycin and clindamycin

Reduced water intake — pigs: Medicated drinking water uptake can be affected by the severity of the disease; in case of insufficient uptake of water, pigs should be treated parenterally

After medication: After the treatment period ends, the water supply system must be cleaned to prevent subsequent ingestion of sub-therapeutic amounts of active substance

Drug interactions — macrolides: Antagonism may exist between lincomycin and macrolides such as erythromycin, and other bactericidal antibiotics, due to competitive binding at the 50S ribosomal subunit; concurrent use is therefore not recommended

Drug interactions — reduced bioavailability: The bioavailability of lincomycin may decrease in the presence of gastric antacids, activated charcoal, pectin, or kaolin; avoid concurrent use where possible

Drug interactions — anaesthetics and muscle relaxants: Lincomycin can potentiate the neuromuscular effects of anaesthetics and muscle relaxants; inform your veterinary surgeon of all current medications before any anaesthetic procedure

Pregnancy, lactation and lay: The safety of this product has not been established during pregnancy, lactation, or lay; while laboratory studies in rats have not produced evidence of teratogenic effects, foetotoxicity has been reported; use only according to the benefit-risk assessment by the responsible veterinarian

Adverse reactions — pigs (rare): Irritability (usually self-correcting within 5 to 8 days), mild anal oedema (swelling), reddening of the skin, diarrhoea (typically within the first 2 days of treatment onset), and rare hypersensitivity reactions; if a hypersensitivity reaction occurs, treatment should be stopped and symptomatic treatment initiated

Adverse reactions — chickens: None known

Human safety — opened pack: Once opened, use contents immediately; do not store opened powder for subsequent use

Human safety — Dust precautions: Take care not to raise and inhale any dust when handling the powder; approved dust mask must be worn (disposable half mask conforming to EN149, or non-disposable respirator conforming to EN140 with a filter conforming to EN143); gloves and safety glasses must also be worn when handling and mixing the product; if respiratory symptoms develop following exposure, seek medical advice and show the warning to the physician

Human safety — Skin, eye and mucous membrane contact: Contact with skin, eyes, and mucous membranes should be avoided; in case of accidental exposure, wash the affected area thoroughly with plenty of water; if symptoms such as skin rash or persistent eye irritation appear after exposure, seek medical advice immediately and show the package leaflet or label to the physician

Human safety — Sensitisation: This product contains lincomycin and lactose monohydrate, either of which can cause allergic reactions in some people; people with known hypersensitivity to lincomycin or any other lincosamide, or to lactose monohydrate, should avoid contact with this product

Do not eat, drink, or smoke while handling the product; wash hands and any exposed skin with soap and water immediately after use

Disposal: Do not dispose of via wastewater; dispose of any unused product and waste materials in accordance with local requirements

POM-V Prescription Notice

This product is a Prescription Only Medicine — Veterinary (POM-V). It may only be supplied by a veterinary surgeon or, when prescribed by a veterinary surgeon, by a pharmacist or SQP. A valid veterinary prescription is required before this product can be dispensed.

MA Number: Vm 61652/5001