Consumer Information for: PERIOSTAT

Consumer Information

Information about the product including what the product is used for, dosage, warnings, proper use and side effects. This summary will not tell you everything about the product. Contact your healthcare professional if you have any questions about the product.


What the medication is used for

PERIOSTAT is used in adults with gum disease (periodontitis) after a certain dental procedure (scaling and root planing). It helps to improve tooth attachment and reduce gum pockets.

PERIOSTAT contains an antibacterial ingredient called doxycycline that is also used to treat bacterial infections.

What it does

PERIOSTAT belongs to the class of antibiotics known as tetracyclines. It may help to prevent the breakdown of gum tissue.

When it should not be used
  • are allergic or hypersensitive to doxycycline or any other tetracycline antibiotic.
  • have the autoimmune disease myasthenia gravis, which causes severe weakness in the muscles used for breathing and moving parts of the body.
  • are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Using PERIOSTAT during pregnancy can cause birth defects. It can also cause damage and discolouration to your unborn babies developing teeth.
  • are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. PERIOSTAT can pass into breastmilk and cause damage and discolouration to your babies developing teeth.
What the medicinal ingredient is

Medicinal ingredients: Doxycycline hyclate

What the non-medicinal ingredients are

Non-medicinal ingredients: hard gelatin capsules, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose and titanium dioxide.

What dosage form it comes in

Capsules; 20 mg

Warnings and precautions

To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take PERIOSTAT. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:

  • are taking medicines to thin the blood, used to prevent blood clots.
  • you are taking other antibiotics, such as penicillin.
  • have a history of oral thrush (yeast infection in your mouth and/or throat) or are at risk for this type of infection.

Other warnings you should know about:
Sun Sensitivity
PERIOSTAT can cause your skin to become sensitive to the sun. While taking PERIOSTAT, use sunscreen and protective clothing if you are going to be in direct sunlight and avoid tanning beds and other sources of UV light. If you notice any skin redness after being in the sun while taking PERIOSTAT contact your healthcare professional immediately.

Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
Interactions with this medication
  • Antacids, used to treat heartburn and indigestion that contain aluminum, calcium, magnesium or bismuth subsalicylate
  • Iron-containing preparations, such as iron supplements
  • Medicines to thin the blood, used to prevent blood clots
  • Antibiotics, used to treat bacterial infections, such as penicillin, tetracycline and methoxyfluorane
  • Barbiturates used to treat insomnia and anxiety, such as phenobarbital
  • Anti-seizure medicines, such as carbamazepine and phenytoin
  • Oral birth control pills
Proper use of this medication
  • Take PERIOSTAT twice a day, at least one hour before your morning and evening meals.
  • PERIOSTAT capsules should be swallowed with a full glass of water.
  • Although you may feel better early in treatment, PERIOSTAT should be used exactly as directed by your healthcare professional.
  • Misuse or overuse of PERIOSTAT could lead to the growth of bacteria that will not be killed by doxycycline (resistance). This means that doxycycline will not work for you in the future.
  • Do not share your medicine.

Usual Adult Dose

  • 20 mg twice a day for up to 9 months

Overdose

If you think you have taken too much PERIOSTAT, contact your healthcare professional, hospital emergency department or regional poison control centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.
Side effects and what to do about them

These are not all the possible side effects you may feel when taking PERIOSTAT. If you experience any side effects not listed here, contact your healthcare professional.

Side effects may include:

  • Headache
  • Common cold (runny nose, sneezing, cough, sore throat)
  • Flu symptoms (fever, body aches, headache, cough, sore throat)
  • Sinus infection (sinusitis), sinus congestion, sinus headache
  • Tooth ache or other tooth problem
  • Gum pain
  • Nausea, indigestion
  • Diarrhea
  • Joint pain, back pain/ache, muscle pain
  • Rash
  • Menstrual cramps

Serious side effects and what to do about them
Symptom / effect Talk to your healthcare professional Only if severe Talk to your healthcare professional In all cases Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help
Gum abscess: gum swelling, red tender gums, throbbing pain, tooth sensitivity, pus discharge, fever   ✔  
Bronchitis: cough with mucus, fatigue, shortness of breath, fever, chills, chest discomfort   ✔  
Oral yeast infection (thrush): creamy white bumps on the tongue, inner cheeks, gums or tonsils that bleed when scraped, pain, difficulty swallowing   ✔  
Vaginal yeast infection: vaginal itching or burning, thick white “cottage cheese” like discharge, vaginal redness or swelling, stinging or burning when urinating or during sex   ✔  

If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, talk to your healthcare professional.

How to store
  • Stored at room temperatures of 15°C - 30°C in a tight, light-resistant container.
  • Protected from excessive humidity.
  • Keep out of reach and sight or children.
Reporting side effects

You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:

NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.

More information

This leaflet was prepared by:
   PENDOPHARM, Division de/of Pharmascience Inc.
   Montréal, Canada
   H4P 2T4

Last revised: November 14, 2018

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