Lincomycin has a limited spectrum against aerobic pathogens but a fairly broad spectrum against anaerobes.

Clindamycin is a more active analog with somewhat different pharmacokinetic patterns. Many gram-positive cocci are inhibited by lincosamides, but most gram-negative organisms and most mycoplasmas are resistant,

Bacteroides spp and other anaerobes are usually susceptible.

Clostridium difficile strains appear to be regularly resistant.