Lincosamides (eg. lincomycin, clindamycin) are a class of drugs which bind to the 23s portion of the 50S subunit of bacterial ribosomes and inhibit early elongation of peptide chain by inhibiting transpeptidase reaction. In this sense they have a similar action to macrolides.

History and uses

The first lincosamide to be discovered was lincomycin, which is a true antibiotic (one occurring naturally rather than being synthetic), from Streptomyces lincolnensis.

Lincomycin has been superseded by clindamycin, which exhibits improved antibacterial activity. Clindamycin also exhibits some activity against parasitic protozoa, and has been used in toxoplasmosis and malaria.

They are normally used to treat staphylococci and streptococci, and have proved useful in treating Bacteroides fragilis and some other anaerobes.

Resistance

Target bacteria may alter the drug's binding site (similar to resistance found in macrolides and streptogramins). The resistance mechanism is methylation of the 23s binding site. If this occurs then the bacteria are resistant to both the macrolides and the lincosamides. Also, enzymatic inactivation of clindamycin has been described (rare).

Formulation

The lincosamides, as the hydrochloride salt, are bitter to taste, so for oral formulation they are given as the palmitate esters, or formulated in capsules. Clindamycin is given intravenously as clindamycin phosphate, which is then converted into active clindamycin within the body.

Pharmacodynamics

These are bacteriostatic drugs and antagonists of macrolides and streptogramins.

Further reading

• Van Bambeke F. Mechanisms of action. In Armstrong D, Cohen J. Infectious diseases. Mosby, London, 1999, pp7/1.1-7/1.14