Doxycycline (On the gums)

dox-i-SYE-kleen

Treats periodontitis (infection of the gum). This medicine is a tetracycline antibiotic.

Drug classes

Antibacterial (About this – PubMed Health)

Uses

Uses of This Medicine

Doxycycline is used to help treat periodontal disease (a disease of your gums). Periodontal disease is caused by bacteria growing beneath the gum line. Doxycycline 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. Doxycycline 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.

Other uses (PubMed Health)

How To Use

Kit

A dentist or other healthcare professional will give you this medicine. This medicine is injected below your gum line.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Birth control pills may be less effective while you are receiving doxycycline.

When Not To Use

This medicine is not right for everyone, You should not receive it if you had an allergic reaction to doxycycline or any tetracycline antibiotic, or if you are pregnant.

Warnings

Tell your doctor or dentist if you are breastfeeding, or if you have diabetes, HIV, or a weak immune system. Also tell your doctor or dentist if you are receiving treatment for cancer, or have a history of fungal infections in your mouth (such as oral candidiasis or thrush).

Do not brush or use dental floss on the treated area for 7 days after treatment.

This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Wear sunscreen. Do not use sunlamps or tanning beds.

Possible side effects

Summary More details

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

Severe discomfort or swelling in your mouth

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Sore mouth, teeth, or gums

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.

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

More side effects of this drug

Brand names include

Atridox

There may be other brand names for this medicine.