Micromedex Detailed Drug Information for the Consumer [Internet]. Truven Health Analytics; 1974-2016.

Minocycline (Subgingival route)

min-oh-SYE-kleen

Dosage forms

Powder

Classifications

Therapeutic: Antibiotic; Chemical: Tetracycline (class)

Uses of This Medicine

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 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.

Before Using This Medicine

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

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Category Explanation All Trimesters D Studies in pregnant women have demonstrated a risk to the fetus. However, the benefits of therapy in a life threatening situation or a serious disease, may outweigh the potential risk.

Breast Feeding

Studies suggest that this medication may alter milk production or composition. If an alternative to this medication is not prescribed, you should monitor the infant for side effects and adequate milk intake.

Interactions with 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. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

Acitretin

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Amoxicillin Ampicillin Atazanavir Bacampicillin Bexarotene Cloxacillin Dicloxacillin Digoxin Etretinate Isotretinoin Methicillin Nafcillin Oxacillin Penicillin G Penicillin G Benzathine Penicillin G Procaine Penicillin V Piperacillin Pivampicillin Sultamicillin Temocillin Tretinoin

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Iron Vitamin A

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Proper Use of This Medicine

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.

Precautions While Using This Medicine

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 normal. 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.

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 doctor immediately 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 or 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.