In the U.S.—

• Antibacterial, dental

Minocycline (mi-noe-SYE-kleen) 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 keeping the number of bacteria from growing. Lowering the amount of bacteria helps to reduce inflammation and swelling in your mouth, and the amount of bleeding around the teeth. Minocycline is placed in deep gum pockets next to your teeth in order to reduce the depth of the pockets.

This medicine will be applied by your dentist or other oral health care professional, and is available in the following dosage form:

Dental
• Periodontal system (U.S.)

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your dentist or doctor will make. For minocycline , the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your dentist if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to minocycline or any other tetracycline medicine (such as doxycycline, demeclocycline, oxytetracycline, or tetracycline). Also tell your dentist if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy— Use of minocycline is not recommended during the last half of pregnancy. Tetracyclines, such as minocycline, may cause the unborn infant's teeth to become discolored and may slow down the growth of the infant's teeth and bones if they are used during that time.

Breast-feeding— Use of minocycline is not recommended because tetracyclines, such as minocycline, pass into breast milk. They may cause unwanted effects in the breast-fed baby. It may be necessary for you to stop breast-feeding during treatment with minocycline. Be sure you have discussed the risks and benefits of the medicine with your dentist and doctor.

Children— Use is not recommended in infants and children up to 8 years of age. Tetracyclines, such as minocycline, may cause permanent discoloration of teeth and slow down the growth of bones. The safety and effectiveness of minocycline have not been determined in children 8 years of age or older.

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

Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your dentist if you are using any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

After minocycline 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.

Dosing—

The amount of minocycline that will be 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.

Check with your dentist as soon as possible if you have pain or 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 cause your skin to be more sensitive to sunlight than it is normally. Exposure to sunlight, even for brief periods of time, 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 the hours of 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 require 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.

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

Check with your dentist or doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

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

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

Other 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. However, check with your dentist or doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome.

• More common
  • Headache 
  
  

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

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your dentist or doctor.