Description and Composition of K-Mekalin
Pharmacokinetics of K-Mekalin
- Food markedly reduces the rate and extent of absorption of lincomycin.
- Lincomycin is widely distributed in the tissues including bone and body fluids but diffusion into the CSF is poor, it diffuses across the placenta.
- Lincomycin is partially inactivated in the liver and is excreted as unchanged drug or metabolites in the urine and feces.
Indications and Uses of K-Mekalin
K-Mekalin is used in the treatment of serious infections of:
- Ear-Nose-Throat
- Mouth
- Skin
- Genital tract
- Bone
- Joint
- Postoperative abdominal area
- Bronchopulmonary infections
- Septicaemia.
Dosage and Administration of K-Mekalin
Oral Route Dosage
- Take oral lincomycin on an empty stomach (1 hour before or 2 hours after meal) as food decreases its absorption.
- As prescribed by the physician.
Adults: 1 Capsule of 500 mg 3 times daily. In severe cases; 2 Capsules, 3 times daily
Children: 30mg/kg/day in 3-4 divided doses. In severe cases; 60mg/kg/day in 3-4 divided doses.
Parenteral Route Dosage
Adult Dosage
IV doses
- Infuse over ≥60mins.
- Serious infections: 600 mg IM every 24hrs or 600mg–1g IV every 8–12hrs.
- More severe infections: 600mg IM every 12hrs (or more often), or doses up to max 8g/day IV have been used for life-threatening infections.
- Subconjunctival injection: 75mg subconjunctivally will result in ocular fluid levels of antibiotic with MICs sufficient for most susceptible pathogens.
- In severe renal impairment: give 25–30% of recommended dose.
Children Dosage:
- <1month: Safety not established.
- IV doses: infuse over ≥60mins.
- ≥1month: Serious infections: 10mg/kg IM every 24hrs.
- More severe infections: 10mg/kg IM every 12hrs or more often.
- Depending on severity of infection, it may also be give 10–20mg/kg/day IV in divided doses
Patients with renal impairment may require a reduction to one-third to one-half of the usual dose.
Contraindications or When not to use K-Mekalin
- K-Mekalin should not be used by those who are hypersensitivity to it or to other Lincosamides.
- It should not be used to treat Meningitis (as it doesn’t reach the cerebrospinal fluid in significant concentrations)
Mechanism of Action of K-Mekalin
How does K-Mekalin work?
K-Mekalin inhibits protein synthesis in susceptible bacteria by binding to the 50 S subunits of bacterial ribosomes. This prevents peptide bond formation upon transcription. Lincomycin is bacteriostatic, but may be bactericidal in high concentrations or when used against highly susceptible organisms.
Precautions
- Patients with GI diseases, especially those with history of colitis
- Elderly and women may be prone to developing severe diarrhea or pseudomembranous colitis.
- Patients with allergy.
- Periodic tests of liver and blood counts have been recommended in patients receiving prolonged therapy and in infants.
- Caution should be exercised in patients receiving neuromuscular blocking agents.
K-Mekalin Use in Pregnancy and Lactation
- No adequate studies done on lincomycin to determine safe and effective use in pregnant women
- Caution should be exercised when it is given to pregnant women.
- Lincomycin may be excreted in small amounts in breast milk. Nursing mothers should not use or stop nursing when using the medication.
K-Mekalin Interactions with Drugs
- Kaolin containing antidiarrheal preparations tend to decrease intestinal absorption of Lincomycin. To avoid this, take Lincomycin 2 hours apart from kaolin administration,
- Sodium cyclamate may decrease Lincomycin absorption.
- Oral contraceptive effect may be inhibited or decreased by lincomycin
- Lincomycin should be used with caution with neuromuscular blocking medications as it may increase their effects of neuromuscular blockage and lead to respiratory depression.
Side Effects of K-Mekalin
Common
- nausea
- Vomiting
- Darrhea.
Occasional
- Urticaria
- Skin rashes
- Microflora disturbance
Rare
- Anaphylaxis
- Neutropenia (reversible)
- Elevated liver enzymes (reversible).
- pseudomembranous colitis
- Esophagitis,
The above listed side effects of Lincomycin is not exhaustive. Please inform your doctor about side-effects when using the medicine.
K-Mekalin Overdosage and Its Treatment
- After an acute oral overdose, patients may experience nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
- Life threatening allergic reactions may occur.
- There is no specific antidote.
- Management generally involves symptomatic and supportive measures and may include enhanced elimination by suitable means.
- Maintain an open airway, and assist ventilation if necessary.
- Replace fluid loss if required.
- Serum level of Lincomycin is not appreciably affected by hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.
- Should overdose occur, turn to the nearest healthcare facility for medical attention of the healthcare professionals.
Shelf-Life of K-Mekalin:
24 months from the manufacturing date.
Never use after the expiry date clearly indicated on the outer packaging.
Storage of K-Mekalin
Store in a cool, dry place below 30°C. Protect from light.
Chemical Structure of Lincomycin