Minocycline Hydrochloride, Dental

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antibiotic

Generic and brand names: minocycline hydrochloride, dental; Arestin

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is an antibiotic inserted by your dentist into pockets in your gums. It is used to treat periodontitis (gum disease) in adults.

This medicine is used after dental procedures such as scaling and root planing.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Tell your healthcare provider if you have:

• an allergy to antibiotics or any other medicine
• a weakened immune system from diseases such as HIV/AIDS or from cancer chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or steroid medicine
• any kind of fungal infection

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not use this medicine during pregnancy or while breast-feeding. Using this medicine during the last half of pregnancy may cause problems with tooth or bone development in the child.

How do I use it?

Your dentist or dental assistant will insert the medicine into your gum pocket. The procedure is usually painless.

What should I watch out for?

It is very important that your dentist check your progress after you have been given this medicine. Keep all dental appointments.

This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to the sun and may cause you to sunburn more easily. While you are receiving this medicine, avoid long exposure to the sun. While you are in the sun, wear protective clothing and sunscreen lotion until you know how you will react to the sun. Do not use a sunlamp. If you get a severe sunburn, contact your healthcare provider right away.

This medicine may lead to fungus infections. Talk to your dentist about this.

After your treatments, do not:

• eat hard, crunchy, or sticky foods for 1 week
• brush your teeth for at least 12 hours after treatment
• touch the treated areas for 12 hours
• floss, scrape, or use cleaning devices other than a toothbrush for 10 days after you receive this medicine.

Your gums will probably be sensitive for a week after treatment. Contact your dentist if you have pain, swelling, or other problems.

This medicine is usually not given to infants or children younger than 8 years old because it may permanently discolor the teeth.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you are unable to reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives, itching, tightness in your chest, trouble breathing).

Serious (report to your healthcare provider): Fever; pain, redness, or swelling in your mouth; bleeding gums.

Other: Headache, nausea, sore throat.

What products might interact with this medicine?

No significant drug interactions have been reported.

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or drug interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.