• Do not take Periostat if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant as Periostat(doxycycline) can cause fetal harm. Periostat crosses the placenta and can result in abnormal bone development!
• Do not take Periostat if you are breastfeeding!
• Do not take Periostat if you are allergic or hypersensitive to any of the tetracyclines or any other antibiotic!
• Do not take Periostat if you are on anticoagulant therapy, blood thinning medications, such as Coumadin, Warfarin, Heparin etc. 
• Do not take Periostat if you have Kidney or Liver disease: renal function abnormalities, impaired renal function, renal failure, renal disease or  liver function abnormalities, liver disease, hepatitis or any other medical disorder of liver function including but not limited to cirrhosis of the liver, liver cancer, jaundice etc.  If you have any questions about your medical condition, consult your primary care physician and/or dental professional before taking Periostat.
• Do not take Periostat if you have a predisposition or history of frequent oral candidiasis (thrush).   The safety and effectiveness of Periostat has not been established in patients with coexistant oral candidiasis
• 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).
• Periostat is not approved for pediatric use and is contraindicated in anyone under age 18.

 WARNINGS & PRECAUTIONS:

1. Periostat may make birth control pills (oral contraceptives) less effective and you may become pregnant!  Periostat can be harmful to the fetus.  While taking Periostat, you MUST use another form of birth control along with your birth control pills to prevent pregnancy. 
2. Absorption of Periostat is reduced by taking aluminum containing antacids, calcium, magnesium, iron, and Pepto-Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate).  Therefore if you take any of these products, you should take them at least 3 hours before or 3 hours after you take Periostat.  If you take vitamins, do not take them at the same time as Periostat.  Vitamins should be taken at least 3 to 4 hours before or after taking Periostat.
3. Periostat is best taken on an empty stomach with a full glass (8 ounces) of WATER one or two hours before or after a meal.  Do NOT take Periostat with milk it must be WATER.  Dairy products including milk may reduce the absorption of Periostat and should be avoided for at least one hour before or after taking Periostat.
4. If you sunbathe or use tanning beds, exercise caution while on Periostat.  Periostat can make some people more sensitive to the sun and you may develop a photosensitive reaction: the sun-exposed skin sunburns more easily and severely than usual.   If taking Periostat and you notice a burning or reddening of your skin, you should STOP taking Periostat and avoid further sun exposure and discontinue  tanning beds and advise your doctor of this possible photosensitivity reaction.

In clinical studies Periostat has a similar incidence of side effects as those taking placebo (inactive pills).  Infrequently there have been reports of nausea or stomach upstet.  If you experience such make sure you take the Periostat with a full 8 oz glass of WATER! Also,  do not lay down immediately after taking Periostat to be sure that the capsule gets into your stomach.

IMPORTANT PATIENT INFORMATION:

Periostat inhibits the body's own overproduction of tissue-destroying enzymes made in response  to the build up of bacteria and plaque on the teeth.  Therefore it takes at least 3 months of treatment before you can start to see some improvement and the gums and dental structures start to heal themselves. Depending on the severity of your periodontal disease, Periostat may be taken for up to 9 consecutive months to get maximal benefit.

Always take Periostat on an empty stomach with a full 8 ounce glass of WATER.  Take your Periostat capsule twice a day separated by approximately 12 hours.  Do not eat for at least one hour before or after taking Periostat.   Do not take aluminum containing antacids, calcium, magnesium, iron or vitamins for at least 3 hours before or after taking Periostat.  To prevent any possible irritation to the lining of your food canal from your mouth to the stomach, do not lie down immediately after taking Periostat.  Only take your Periostat capsule while standing or sitting to ensure capsule gets to your stomach.