Periostat Helps Treat the Following Conditions:

Periodontitis

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease, affecting the gums and gum tissue around the teeth. It is caused by bacterial build-up and is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Symptoms include bad breath, swelling, and redness of the gums, and loose teeth.

Scaling and root planing is a common dental procedure for patients with periodontitis, where a dentist or dental hygienist removes plaque build-up from below the gumline. Periostat is used after scaling and root planing procedures.

Periostat Active Ingredient

Periostat is prescribed to patients with periodontitis, following scaling and root planning procedures. Periostat contains the active ingredient doxycycline, which helps to reduce gum pockets and improve tooth attachment.

Generic Periostat Alternative

Generic alternatives to Periostat are not yet available on this website.

General Drug Information

What is Periostat and What Is It Used For?

Periostat is prescribed to patients with periodontitis, a gum disease. Periostat contains the active ingredient doxycycline, a tetracycline. The low dose of doxycycline is not strong enough to kill harmful bacteria but may prevent the breakdown of gum tissue.

Doxycycline is an antibiotic and is ineffective against viral infections. Unnecessary use of antibiotics may lead to antibiotic resistance.

Usage and Application

Before sourcing Periostat online, please thoroughly review the medication guide provided by your doctor or pharmacist. Inform your physician of all other prescription medicines, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal supplements you are taking.

Patients are usually directed to take Periostat by mouth, once or twice a day. The medication is best taken on an empty stomach, at least an hour after a meal. Take the tablet with a full glass of water, unless directed otherwise by your doctor. Do not lie down for at least ten minutes after taking Periostat.

Patients who experience stomach upset may want to take Periostat with food or milk. However, this medication may not be as effective when taken with milk or other foods high in calcium. Patients should ask their doctor or pharmacist for the best way to take this drug.

Products containing aluminum, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, and bismuth subsalicylate affect the proper absorption of Periostat. Examples can include antacids, didanosine solution, quinapril, as well as some vitamins and minerals.

Dairy products and calcium-enriched juice can have the same effect. Take Periostat two to three hours before or after using any of the above-mentioned products.

It’s best if antibiotics are taken at evenly-spaced intervals. To help you remember, take Periostat at the same time(s) every day.

Considerations Before Taking Periostat

Before starting treatment, patients should discuss the possibility of allergic reactions to Periostat or to other tetracyclines like minocycline. Periostat may also contain inactive ingredients which can cause allergy.

It is very important to discuss the patient’s medical history, especially relating to trouble swallowing and esophagus problems like a hiatal hernia and heartburn.

Periostat may decrease the effectiveness of live bacterial vaccines (e.g. typhoid vaccine). Avoid immunizations and vaccinations while using Periostat, unless told otherwise by your doctor.

Patients preparing for surgery or certain dental procedures should inform their doctor or dentist about all drugs, supplements, and herbal products they are taking.

This medication may increase sun sensitivity.

Patients should limit sun exposure and avoid tanning booths and sunlamps. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors. Report any sunburn or skin blisters to your doctor immediately.

Children below eight may be more sensitive to the side effects of Periostat, especially tooth discoloration. This side effect is possible in older children and young adults. Discuss the risks and benefits of Periostat treatment with your doctor.

Periostat may harm an unborn baby and is not recommended for use during pregnancy.

Periostat passes into breast milk but is unlikely to harm a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Delayed and Omitted Doses

Patients who miss a dose of Periostat should take it as soon as they remember. If this happens near the time of the next scheduled dose, patients should skip the missed dose and proceed as usual. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Other Medications and Periostat

Drug interactions may alter the way Periostat works, increasing the risk of negative side effects. Before starting treatment, patients should discuss all medications and supplements they are taking with their doctor.

Some products (e.g. blood thinners like warfarin, heart failure medication digoxin, supplement strontium) may interact negatively with Periostat. The same applies to retinoid medications taken by mouth (e.g. acitretin and isotretinoin), barbiturates (e.g. phenobarbital), and anti-seizure medications (e.g. phenytoin).

Most antibiotics, including Periostat, do not affect hormonal birth control. However, a few antibiotics (e.g. rifampin and rifabutin) can have such an effect, increasing the risk of unplanned pregnancy. Patients who use hormonal birth control should ask their doctor or pharmacist for details on safe pregnancy prevention.

Periostat may interfere with certain laboratory tests, possibly causing false test results, especially tests which measure urine catecholamine levels. Patients should alert laboratory personnel and doctors to the fact they use Periostat.

This is not a full list of all possible interactions. Please consult your physician before purchasing Periostat online.

Adverse Reactions

Most patients use Periostat without serious side effects.

Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach upset. Please inform your doctor if these symptoms persist or worsen.

Serious side effects include painful or difficult swallowing. Patients should monitor for signs of kidney problems, like changes in urine production.

In rare cases, tetracycline drugs like Periostat may cause a serious increase of pressure within the skull, also known as intracranial hypertension (IH). Women of childbearing age who are overweight – or who have had IH in the past – are particularly at risk.

If IH develops, it usually goes away after Periostat is stopped. However, some patients may suffer permanent vision loss. Patients should monitor for the following symptoms: a persistent or severe headache, nausea, vomiting, and vision changes (e.g. blurred vision, double vision, decreased vision, sudden blindness). Contact your doctor immediately in the event of such symptoms.

In rare cases, some patients may develop Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea. This is a severe intestinal condition caused by a type of resistant bacteria. Problems may occur during treatment, or even months after treatment has stopped.

Patients should not use anti-diarrheal or opioid medications, as these products may exacerbate the condition. Seek immediate medical attention in the event of the following symptoms: persistent diarrhea, stomach pain, cramping, and blood or mucus in the stool.

Prolonged or repeated use of Periostat may result in oral thrush or vaginal yeast infection. Contact your doctor if you notice white patches in your mouth, changes in vaginal discharge, or other new symptoms.

Serious allergic reactions to Periostat are rare, yet patients should be aware of symptoms including rash, itching and swelling, severe dizziness, and trouble breathing.

How to Store Periostat

Store Periostat at room temperature, away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep away from children and pets.

Taking expired tetracyclines can result in serious illness.

Unwanted medication should be disposed of properly. Do not pour down the drain or flush down the toilet. Consult a pharmacist or your local waste disposal company to find out more about safe disposal methods.