Minocycline (Subgingival)

Minocycline is used to help treat periodontal disease (a disease of your gums). Periodontal disease is caused by bacteria growing beneath the gum line. Minocycline works by preventing the growth of bacteria. Reducing the number of bacteria helps to lessen inflammation and swelling in your mouth, as well as the amount of bleeding around your teeth. Minocycline is placed in deep gum pockets next to your teeth to reduce the depth of the pockets.

This medicine will be applied by your dentist or another oral health care professional.

Check with your dentist as soon as possible if you have pain, swelling, or other problems in the treated areas.

It is very important that your dentist check your progress. Do not miss any dental appointments.

Tetracyclines, such as minocycline, may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight than normal. Even brief exposure to sunlight may cause a skin rash, itching, redness or other discoloration of the skin, or a severe sunburn. After receiving minocycline:

• Stay out of direct sunlight, especially between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., if possible.
• Wear protective clothing, including a hat. Also, wear sunglasses.
• Apply a sun block product that has a skin protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Some patients may need a product with a higher SPF number, especially if they have a fair complexion. If you have any questions about this, check with your health care professional.
• Apply a sun block lip balm or lipstick that has an SPF of at least 15 to protect your lips.
• Do not use a sunlamp or tanning bed or booth.

If you have a severe reaction from the sun, check with your dentist or doctor.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor need to think about the risks of taking it compared to the benefits it can bring. Here are some important points to consider for this medicine:

Allergies

Let your doctor know if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reactions to this medicine or any other medicines. Also inform your health care professional about any other allergies you may have, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For over-the-counter products, carefully read the label or package ingredients.

Pediatric

This medicine is not recommended for infants and children up to 8 years old. Tetracyclines, like minocycline, can cause permanent tooth discoloration and may slow down bone growth. The safety and effectiveness of minocycline have not been established in children aged 8 years or older.

Geriatric

Many medicines have not been specifically studied in older adults. Therefore, it may not be known if they work the same way as they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing the use of minocycline in the elderly with its use in other age groups.

Breast Feeding

Research indicates that this medication may change milk production or its composition. If you are not given another option, you should keep an eye on the infant for side effects and ensure they are getting enough milk.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together at all, while in other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might happen. In these situations, your doctor may want to adjust the dose, or take other precautions. When you are using this medicine, it is particularly important for your healthcare professional to know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions are highlighted due to their potential importance and may not include all possible interactions.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may choose not to prescribe this medication or may change some of your other medicines.

• Acitretin

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be necessary in certain situations. If both medicines are prescribed, your doctor may change the dose or how often you take one or both medicines.

• Amoxicillin
• Ampicillin
• Atazanavir
• Bacampicillin
• Bexarotene
• Cholera Vaccine, Live
• Cloxacillin
• Desogestrel
• Dicloxacillin
• Dienogest
• Digoxin
• Drospirenone
• Estradiol
• Ethinyl Estradiol
• Ethynodiol
• Etretinate
• Gestodene
• Isotretinoin
• Levoketoconazole
• Levonorgestrel
• Magnesium Sulfate
• Mestranol
• Methicillin
• Methotrexate
• Methoxyflurane
• Nafcillin
• Nomegestrol
• Norethindrone
• Norgestimate
• Norgestrel
• Oxacillin
• Palovarotene
• Penicillin G
• Penicillin G Benzathine
• Penicillin G Procaine
• Penicillin V
• Piperacillin
• Pivampicillin
• Porfimer
• Sultamicillin
• Temocillin
• Tretinoin

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may increase the risk of certain side effects, but taking both may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or how often you use one or both medicines.

• Aminolevulinic Acid
• Iron
• Vitamin A

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be taken around the time of eating food or certain types of food due to possible interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with specific medicines may also lead to interactions. Talk to your healthcare professional about how to use your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may happen, if they do, they might need medical attention.

Check with your doctor right away if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

• Bleeding from the gums
• chills
• dental pain
• fever
• pain, redness, and swelling in the mouth
• problems with teeth
• redness or swelling of the gums
• toothache

Less common

• Bad taste in the mouth
• discharge from the gums
• foul breath odor
• painful sores in the mouth
• problems in the lining of the mouth

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue, are bothersome, or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Headache

Less common

• Acid or sour stomach
• belching
• cough
• heartburn
• increased sensitivity to sunlight
• indigestion
• pain
• pain in the joints or muscles
• runny nose
• sneezing
• sore throat
• stomach discomfort, upset, or pain

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Available Dosage Forms:

• Powder

Therapeutic Class: Antibiotic

Chemical Class: Tetracycline (class)

The amount of medicine that is put into your gum pockets will be determined by your dentist. The number of teeth that need treatment and the depth of the pockets will determine the amount of medicine that is used.

After the medicine is placed in your mouth, try to avoid any actions that may cause the medicine to come out. For example:

• Do not chew hard, crunchy, or sticky foods for 1 week after treatment.
• Do not brush near any treated areas. Wait 12 hours after the procedure before brushing the other teeth.
• Do not use dental floss or any other cleaning tools that go between the teeth for 10 days after treatment.
• Do not probe or pick at the treated areas with your tongue, toothpicks, or fingers.