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WHAT IS PERIOSTAT?
PERIOSTAT (doxycycline hyclate, 20 mg capsules) is a new medical breakthrough treatment for adult periodontitis. Periostat is the FIRST & ONLY FDA-approved  prescription medication which modulates host response by  reducing  the activity of tissue-destroying enzymes  released in the gum tissue without affecting bacteria.  Periostat is NOT an antibiotic. When Periostat is used along with scaling and planing (SRP) procedures during routine dental cleanings at your dentist, Periostat slows the progression of adult periodontitis. Periostat is NOT an antibiotic and has NO detectable effect on bacteria.  The therapeutic effect of Periostat is due to its anticollegenase and anti-inflammatory properties and not to an antibacterial effect.  Although the active ingredient, doxycycline hyclate, is used to treat bacterial infections, the dosage of doxycycline in Periostat is much too low to kill bacteria.  Antibiotic dosages of doxycycline are only used short periods of 10-14 days versus Periostat which is proven safe & effective for up to nine months. 
WHAT IS PERIODONTITIS ?
Periodontal disease affects the gingiva (gums), periodontal ligament, alveolar bone and tooth support structures.  The two major forms of periodontal disease are gingivitis and periodontitis.   Gingivitis is a reversible condition involving gingival inflammation.  In contrast, periodontitis involves gingival inflammation along with loss of tooth attachment caused by the destruction of the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. Periodontitis is due to many factors and its severity is determined by a complex interaction between tissue-destroying enzymes and bacteria. Although pathogenic bacteria in the gums are necessary for periodontitis, they alone are not sufficient for the progression of the disease.  The body's own immune response of producing tissue-destroying enzymes plays a big factor in determining the severity of periodontitis.  The end result of the interaction between the bacteria and tissue-destroying enzyme response is the destruction of bone and soft tissue. 
 HOW DOES PERIOSTAT WORK TO TREAT PERIODONTITIS?
Until PERIOSTAT the treatment of periodontitis only addressed the bacterial component of the disease by the scaling and root planing (SRP) procedure sometimes supplemented by antimicrobial drugs. PERIOSTAT is a medical breakthrough  because it stops the tissue-destroying enzyme response from destroying the bone and gums. Periostat works by blocking tissue-destroying enzymes which are over-produced by the body's immune system in people with periodontitis. Periostat 20 mg capsules are taken twice a day and it is absorbed from the small intestine into the blood stream.  Periostat travels to the gum and bone tissues around the teeth where it prevents the gum enzymes from breaking down the gum and bone tissue around the teeth.  This allows the body to repair and rebuild the damaged tissue.  This process works most effectively after the bacteria laden plaque and calculus, which help trigger the release of these tissue-destroying enzymes, have been removed from your teeth by your dental professional during routine dental cleanings and scaling and root planing (SRP).  Research has shown that Periostat in conjunction with SRP significantly helps stop the progress of periodontal disease than just scaling and root planing alone. 
HOW DO I KNOW IF PERIOSTAT THERAPY IS RIGHT FOR ME?
If your dental health professional has diagnosed you with mild-to-moderate or severe periodontitis Periostat may be right for you. If routine dental cleanings alone is not improving your condition, the addition of Periostat may help to halt the progression and improve the health of your gums and teeth. Periostat must be taken in conjunction with routine dental visits during which time scaling and root planing is performed to remove plaque, calculus and bacteria.
CAN PERIOSTAT BE TAKEN WITH OTHER PRESCRIPTION  OR OVER-THE-COUNTER DRUGS?
Periostat can be taken safely with most medications except blood thinners such as Coumadin.  Periostat may make birth control pills less effective.  There is a very small risk that you could become pregnant taking Periostat and birth control pills and therefore should also use another type of birth control while taking Periostat.   Over-the-counter medications such as aluminum containing antacids, calcium, magnesium and Pepto-Bismol as well as products containing iron will decrease the absorption of Periostat.  Therefore if you take an of these products, you should take them at least 3 to 4 hours before or after you take Periostat.
WHEN &  FOR HOW LONG DO I USE PERIOSTAT?
Periostat  20mg capsule is taken twice a day, at least one hour before your morning and evening meal on an empty stomach with at least 8 ounces of water.  Periostat must be taken with water and you must not eat for at least one to two hours. Do not take Periostat with milk.  There should be approximately 12 hours between doses.   Do not lie down right after taking Periostat as it may not get into your stomach and can cause irritation to the lining of the food canal. Periostat has been shown to be safe and effective for up to 9 months of continuous use.  The amount of time you take Periostat differs for each person depending on the severity of the gum disease and the time needed for the body's healing process to take place. 
HOW LONG BEFORE I SEE RESULTS?
Periostat reduces the host response production of tissue-destroying enzymes. When used in conjunction with routine professional dental cleanings, Periostat allows the body to begin healing itself.  Therefore, it takes time for improvement in your damaged gums and bone tissue to become apparent.  You can start to notice some improvement with decreased gum bleeding in about 3 months.
WHILE TAKING PERIOSTAT CAN I USE TANNING BEDS OR SUNBATHE?
When on Periostat, you can develop a photosensitive reaction if you spend time in the sun or use tanning beds:  the sun exposed skin will burn more easily.  This photosensitivity does not occur with everyone. Therefore, when taking Periostat it is advisable to take proper precautions to protect sun exposed skin using sunblock, hats etc.   If while on Periostat, you develop a photoreaction on your skin, stop taking Periostat, avoid sun exposure (stop using tanning beds) and consult your own doctor regarding a possible photosensitivity reaction.
WHAT IF I MISS A PERIOSTAT DOSE?
If you miss a Periostat dose, just resume taking the next scheduled dosage.  Do NOT double-up on doses to make up for a missed dose.  There should be about 12 hours between doses and each dose should be taken on an empty stomach an hour before meals
WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS of PERIOSTAT ?
In medical studies, patients taking Periostat 20 mg capsules  as directed  had no more side effects than those taking placebo.  The most common reports of side effect are nausea or upset stomach.  If you experience such make sure you take the Periostat with a full 8 oz glass of WATER!
WHO SHOULD NOT USE PERIOSTAT?
WHAT ARE THE CONTRAINDICATIONS FOR PERIOSTAT?
  • Do NOT use PERIOSTAT if you are pregnant or attempting to become pregnant.  Periostat MAY HARM unborn baby as it crosses the placenta and can result in abnormal bone development.
  • Do NOT use PERIOSTAT if you are breast feeding.
  • Do NOT take PERIOSTAT if you are allergic or have hypersensitivity to any of the tetracyclines or any other antibiotic.
  • Do NOT take PERIOSTAT if you have kidney or liver problems.
  • Do NOT take PERIOSTAT if you have a predisposition to oral candidiasis or thrush.
  • Periostat is NOT to be used in children or anyone under the age of 18.  Not approved for pediatric use.
  • Do NOT take PERIOSTAT if you are on anticoagulant therapy and taking blood thinning medication such as Coumadin.
  • PERIOSTAT may make birth control pills less effective, you should also use another type of birth control while taking Periostat.
  • PERIOSTAT is FDA-approved for the treatment adult periodontitis in conjunction with routine scaling and root planing!
  • Periostat and the general Anesthetic Penthrane (methoxy-fluorane) can result in kidney failure and death (Penthrane is NO longer used in humans in the United States).
We will not prescribe PERIOSTAT to anyone under the age of 18. Also PERIOSTAT should NOT be used by pregnant women, women attempting to become pregnant or women who are breast feeding.
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