Lincomycin hydrochloride

Lincomycin hydrochloride	Last updated: 15/09/2025
(Also known as: lincomycine HCl)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

A lincosamide antibacterial veterinary drug active against gram-positive cocci and anaerobic bacteria

Examples of veterinary uses

Used to treat various bacterial infections including those of the gums, teeth, skin and bone as well as wound infections and pneumonia

Examples of species treated

Dogs; Cats; Pigs; Poultry; Cattle; Bees

Approval status

VMR 2013/2033 approval status (GB/UK)

Approved - usually supplied as a prescription only medicine to be authorised by a veterinarian (POM-V)

EU Regulatory approval status

Approved

Chemical structure

Isomerism

Lincomycin hydrochloride exhibits stereoisomerism due to the presence of eight chiral centres in its complex molecular structure, which are located on its pyrrolidine ring and sugar moiety. These chiral centres define the molecule’s three-dimensional configuration, and the biologically active form of lincomycin is a single, well-defined stereoisomer with the configuration: (2S,4R)-N-[(1R,2R)-2-hydroxy-1-[(2R,3R,4S,5R,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(methylsulfanyl)oxan-2-yl]propyl]-1-methyl-4-propylpyrrolidine-2-carboxamide hydrochloride.

Chemical formula

C₁₈H₃₅ClN₂O₆S

Canonical SMILES

CCCC1CC(N(C1)C)C(=O)NC(C2C(C(C(C(O2)SC)O)O)O)C(C)O.Cl

Isomeric SMILES

CCC[C@@H]1C[C@H](N(C1)C)C(=O)N[C@@H]([C@@H]2[C@@H]([C@@H]([C@H]([C@H](O2)SC)O)O)O)[C@@H](C)O.Cl

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

POUMFISTNHIPTI-BOMBIWCESA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/C18H34N2O6S.ClH/c1-5-6-10-7-11(20(3)8-10)17(25)19-12(9(2)21)16-14(23)13(22)15(24)18(26-16)27-4;/h9-16,18,21-24H,5-8H2,1-4H3,(H,19,25);1H/t9-,10-,11+,12-,13+,14-,15-,16-,18-;/m1./s1

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre diagrams

Common Name	Relationship	Link
lincomycin hydrochloride monohydrate	Hydrate
lincomycin hydrochloride	-

General status

Veterinary substance type

Medicinal drug, Antibiotic, Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, Medicated feed additive

Substance groups

Lincosamide

Minimum active substance purity

Known relevant impurities

Substance origin

Natural

Mode of action

It inhibits bacteria by suppressing protein synthesis and growth.

Molecular targets

[50S ribosomal protein L10, Antagonist]

CAS RN

859-18-7

EC number

212-726-7

CIPAC number

US EPA chemical code

PubChem CID

64710

Therapeutic Class

Antiinfectants for system use: Antibacterials for systemic use

ATCvet Code

QJ01FF02

Controlled Drug?

Regulation 37/2010 MRL Classification

Allowed substance (Table 1: All food producing species)

Molecular mass

443.0

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

IUPAC name

(2S,4R)-N-[(1R,2R)-2-hydroxy-1-[(2R,3R,4S,5R,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methylsulfanyloxan-2-yl]propyl]-1-methyl-4-propylpyrrolidine-2-carboxamide; hydrochloride

CAS name

Forever chemical

Other status information

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Physical state

White crystalline powder with a pungent odour

Related substances & organisms

lincomycin

clindamycin

Commercial

Property

Value

Availability status

Current but mainly superceded by its semisynthetic derivative, clindamycin

Introduction & key dates

1964, first approval USA

Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically

Huvepharma N.V.
Zoetis UK Ltd
Lavet Pharmaceuticals Ltd

Example products using this active

Albiotic Intramammary Solution
Lincocin Soluble Powder
Linco-Feed Premix
Linco-Spectin 100 Soluble powder

Formulation and application details

Available in a variety of formulations including medicated feeds, drinking water additives, intramammary solutions, solutions for injection and soluble powders

Commercial production

The production of lincomycin hydrochloride begins with the fermentation of Streptomyces lincolnensis, a soil-dwelling actinomycete that naturally synthesises lincomycin as a secondary metabolite. The fermentation is carried out under controlled conditions using nutrient-rich media to optimize yield. After fermentation, the broth is filtered to remove biomass, and lincomycin is extracted using solvent extraction techniques, typically involving organic solvents like butanol. The crude extract is then subjected to purification steps such as ion-exchange chromatography and crystallisation to isolate lincomycin base. To convert it into its hydrochloride salt, the purified lincomycin is reacted with hydrochloric acid, forming lincomycin hydrochloride.

Impact on climate of production and use

As microbial-based products tend to use fermentation-based production processes rather than chemical synthesis, they typically have a lower fossil fuel input in formulation and active ingredient creation, and also have reduced downstream emissions due to biodegradability and minimal soil disruption, their life-cycle GHG emissions are expected to be low. Whilst hard and precise data is not available, broad estimates suggest that typically emissions are likely to be below 5 kg CO₂e/kg.

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Solubility - In water at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

500000

High

Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

20000

Methanol

Benzene

Methyl ethyl ketone

Chloroform

Melting point (°C)

148

Boiling point (°C)

Degradation point (°C)

148

Flashpoint (°C)

Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C

2.55 X 10⁰⁰

Calculated

Log P

0.406

Low

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

12.9

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

2.46 X 10^-14

Low volatility

Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)

Volatilisation as max % of applied dose lost

From plant surface

From soil surface

Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

Refractive Index

Environmental release

Substance may enter the environment via the urine and faeces of treated animals or by leaching from spilt medicated feed.

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

Clay loam

Non-persistent

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

Note

Manure DT₅₀ (days)

Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7

Value

Note

Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7

Value

Note

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Sediment phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Air degradation

As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below.

Decay in stored produce DT₅₀

Soil adsorption and mobility

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Linear

K_d (mL g⁻¹)

Mobile

K_oc (mL g⁻¹)

Notes and range

Freundlich

K_f (mL g⁻¹)

0.009

Very mobile

K_foc (mL g⁻¹)

0.25

¹/_n

0.87

Notes and range

USEPA data K_d range 0.0033-0.187 mL g⁻¹, K_foc range 0.12-0.41 mL g⁻¹, ¹/_n range 0.841-0.912, Soils=3

pH sensitivity

Fate indices

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

GUS leaching potential index

5.99

Calculated

High leachability

Bio-concentration factor

BCF (l kg⁻¹)

CT₅₀ (days)

Known soil and groundwater metabolites

None

Other known metabolites

Metabolite name and reference

Aliases

Formation medium / Rate

Estimated maximum occurrence fraction

lincomycin sulfoxide

Mammals

N-desmethyl-lincomycin sulfoxide

Mammals

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 4000

Rat

Low

Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL

(mg kg⁻¹)

(ppm diet)

Mammals - Chronic 21d NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)

Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ dw soil)

Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹ dw soil)

> 1000

Eisenia foetida

Low

Soil micro-organisms

Collembola

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

Non-target plants

Vegetative vigour ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Seedling emergence ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Honeybees (Apis spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Unknown mode acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Chronic

Notes

Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Mason bees (Osmia spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Other bee species (1)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Other bee species (2)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Beneficial insects (Ladybirds)

Beneficial insects (Lacewings)

Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps)

Beneficial insects (Predatory mites)

Beneficial insects (Ground beetles)

Aquatic ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

> 980

Lepomis macrochirus

Low

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

379.4

Daphnia magna

Low

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, static, water (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, sediment (mg kg⁻¹)

Aquatic Plants (free-floating, fonds growth, fresh) - 7 day (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic plants (rooted, growth rate, fresh) - 14 day (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Acute (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Chronic (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

Marine bivalves

HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION

General

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class)

High (class III)

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 4000

Rat

Low

Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

Subcutaneous LD₅₀ = 9778 mg kg⁻¹

Rat

Intramuscular LD₅₀ = 0.2 mg kg⁻¹

Rabbit

ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

Dermal penetration studies (%)

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

Occupational

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

The parent drug and metabolites are excreted mainly in the urine, bile and faeces. Has been detected in milk products.

Health issues

Specific human health issues (hazard-based)

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

No data found

; ; ; ;

No data found

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

Neurotoxicant

No data found

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin irritant

Skin sensitiser

No data found

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

No data found

General human health issues

May cause diarrhoea, vomiting and colitis
May cause hypotension and, albeit rarely, cardiac arrest

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

No information available

CLP classification 2013

WHO Classification

Not listed (Not listed)

UN Number

Waste disposal & packaging

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

lincomycin hydrochloride

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Swedish

Hungarian

Dutch

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Record last updated:	15/09/2025
Contact:	aeru@herts.ac.uk
Please cite as:	Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242