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In the U.S.—

Atridox

• Antibacterial (dental)

Doxycycline ( dox-i-SYE-kleen) periodontal system contains the antibiotic doxycycline and is used to help treat periodontal disease (a disease of your gums), which is caused by bacteria growing beneath the gum line. Doxycycline works by preventing the growth of the bacteria. Doxycycline periodontal system 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, and is available in the following dosage form(s):

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 doxycycline periodontal system, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your dentist if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to doxycycline or to other tetracyclines. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy—Use of doxycycline periodontal system is not recommended during the last half of pregnancy. Tetracyclines, such as doxycycline, 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 doxycycline periodontal system is not recommended, since tetracyclines, such as doxycycline, 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 doxycycline periodontal system. Be sure you have discussed the risks and benefits of the medicine with your dentist and doctor.

Children—In infants and children up to 8 years of age: Tetracyclines, such as doxycycline, may cause permanent discoloration of teeth and slow down the growth of bones. Use is not recommended.

In children 8 years of age and older: The safety and effectiveness of doxycycline periodontal system have not been established.

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 doxycycline periodontal system 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 dentist or doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. While you are receiving doxycycline periodontal system, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

• Oral contraceptives (birth control pills) containing estrogen—Use of birth control pills with tetracyclines, such as doxycycline, may decrease the effect of the birth control pills and increase the chance of unwanted pregnancy

Other medical problems—The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of doxycycline periodontal system. Make sure you tell your dentist if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Candidiasis (yeast infection) of the mouth—May make the condition worse

The treatment period for the doxycycline periodontal system is the 7 days after your dentist inserts it. If the system comes loose or falls out before the 7 days are up, check with your dentist.

Doxycycline periodontal system does not have to be removed by the dentist; it will dissolve. The dental dressing or adhesive that holds the system in place may fall out naturally. However, if the dental dressing or adhesive is still present after 7 days, it should be removed by the dentist.

Tetracyclines, such as doxycycline, should not be used in children up to 8 years of age. Tetracyclines may cause permanently discolored teeth and other problems in this age group.

Dosing—

The dose of doxycycline periodontal system will be different for different patients. The following information includes only the average doses of doxycycline periodontal system.

• For dental dosage form:
  • For antibacterial (dental):
    • Adults—Doxycycline periodontal system is placed by your dentist into one or more deep gum pockets next to your teeth. A dental dressing or adhesive will be placed on top to help keep the system in place. The treatment may be repeated four months later.
    • Infants and children up to 8 years of age—Use is not recommended. Tetracyclines, such as doxycycline, can permanently discolor teeth.
    • Children 8 years of age and older—Use and dose must be determined by your dentist.

Oral contraceptives (birth control pills) containing estrogen may not work properly if you take them while you are using doxycycline periodontal system. Unplanned pregnancies may occur. You should use a different or additional means of birth control during the cycle in which doxycycline periodontal system is in place. If you have any questions about this, check with your health care professional.

For 7 days after receiving doxycycline periodontal system, do not floss or brush around the teeth that have been treated. Brushing or flossing may loosen the system or cause it to fall out.

Tetracyclines, such as doxycycline, 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. For a period of 7 days after receiving doxycycline periodontal system:

• 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 lipstick that has an SPF of at least 15 to protect your lips.
• Do not use a sunlamp or tanning bed or booth.

You may still be sensitive to sunlight or sunlamps for 2 weeks to several months or more after the 7-day treatment period of doxycycline periodontal system. If you have a severe reaction, check with your doctor.

Dental—Use of doxycycline periodontal system is not recommended during the last half of pregnancy or in infants and children up to 8 years of age. Tetracyclines, such as doxycycline, may cause permanent discoloration of teeth and slow down the growth of bones. In addition, systemic tetracyclines, such as doxycycline, may favor the growth of oral candidiasis (yeast infection of the mouth).

Side Effects of This Medicine

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:

• Less common
  • High blood pressure;  looseness of tooth ;  tooth or gum pain (severe or continuing) 
  
  

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
  • Common cold–like symptoms;  gum discomfort, pain, or soreness;  headache;  pressure sensitivity of tooth;  toothache  
  
  

• Less common
  • Abdominal bloating and/or stomach or pelvic pain;  cough;  diarrhea;  gum redness;  indigestion, upset stomach, or stomachache ;  influenza-like symptoms;  mouth pain or soreness;  muscle aches;  sensitivity of tooth to heat or cold;  shortness of breath;  sleeplessness;  sore throat;  stuffy head, postnasal drip, or nasal congestion 
  
  

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

Developed: 12/28/1998