Periostat 20mg Film Coated Tablets
PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this
medicine
• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
• If you have any further questions, ask your dentist, doctor or pharmacist.
• This medicine has been prescribed for you. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.
• If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet please tell your dentist, doctor or pharmacist.
The information in this leaflet has been divided into the following sections:
1. What Periostat is and what it is taken for
2. Check before you take Periostat
3. How to take Periostat
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Periostat
6. Further information
11. What Periostat is and what it is taken for
Periostat belongs to a group of medicines called tetracyclines. Tetracyclines are a type of antibiotic although the very small dose of doxycycline contained in Periostat is not high enough for Periostat to act as an antibiotic.
Periostat tablets are used in the treatment of periodontitis (a condition of the gums which can cause teeth to become loose or fall out).
The standard treatment for periodontitis is a scaling and root planing carried out by your dentist or dental hygienist. Periostat is then prescribed by your dentist as an additional treatment. The oral hygiene routine explained by your dentist or dental hygienist should continue at the same time.
Take special care with Periostat
Before you take Periostat tell your dentist, doctor or pharmacist if:
• you have porphyria (a disease which causes stomach pain, constipation, changes in the colour of urine, skin rashes and disturbed behaviour)
• you have severe diarrhoea (see Section 4 Possible side effects)
• you have myasthenia gravis (a rare muscle weakness disorder)
• you have liver problems or are taking medication which may damage your liver (see Section 4 Possible side effects)
• you have thrush (a yeast infection caused by Candida)
• you are intolerant to some sugars (see Important information about some of the ingredients of Periostat)
• you have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). An allergic condition which causes joint pain, skin rashes and fever (see Section 4 Possible side effects)
• you have acne and you are taking any medicine containing isotretinoin (see Taking other medicines)
• you have diabetes and are taking sulfonylurea agents (see Taking other medicines)
• you are about to have surgery under anaesthetic (see Taking other medicines).
If any of the above applies to you, or if you are not sure, speak to
your dentist, doctor or pharmacist before you take Periostat.
Taking other medicines
Tell your dentist, doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any of the following medicines as they may interfere with Periostat:
aluminium containing (used to neutralise acid in your stomach) products
zinc containing (used to treat low zinc levels) products
The periodontium, which is made up of collagen fibres, is the part of the gum that gives support to each tooth and it is this part that is affected by periodontitis. Periodontitis is caused by the presence of bacteria at the gum line which can cause inflammation and infection of the gum.
The body’s immune system makes special cells to fight the gum infection. The body releases enzymes into the gums which break down the collagen fibres around the tooth and allows these special cells to get to the site of infection. Unfortunately, although the enzymes are part of the body’s own defence system, they actually damage the gum. This can cause teeth to become loose or even fall out. Diagram 1 explains the causes of periodonitis.
Diagram 1: The causes of periodontitis
plaque
Plaque and bacteria accumulate on the tooth near the gum
Destructive enzymes
(collagenase)
The body releases enzymes into the gum
Tissue damage results from too much collagenase
The enzymes destroy the tissues supporting the tooth
Periostat reduces the effect of the collagenase enzymes. This can make your gums healthier and increase the stability of your affected teeth.
Diagram 2 explains how scaling and root planing with the addition of Periostat treats periodontitis.
Diagram 2: How scaling and root planing with Periostat treats periodontitis
Remove bacteria with scaling and root planing
The activity of the destructive enzymes is then reduced by Periostat
Scaling & root planing with Periostat
The body works to restore the damaged tissue making teeth more stable
12. Check before you take Periostat |
Do not take Periostat:
• if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to doxycycline (or any other tetracycline antibiotic e.g. oxytetracycline, tetracycline, chlortetracycline, demeclocycline or minocycline) or any of the ingredients of Periostat (see Section 6 Further information)
• if you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant
• if you are planning to become pregnant
• if you are breast-feeding
• if you have achlorhydria (lack of acid in the stomach)
• if you suffer from phototoxicity (skin rashes caused by sunlight). Stop taking Periostat if this happens and consult your doctor.
Do not give this medicine to children under the age of 12.
If any of the above applies to you, or if you are not sure, speak to
your dentist, doctor or pharmacist before you take Periostat.
calcium containing (used to treat low calcium levels or as an
products antacid)
anti-coagulant for example warfarin (used to thin the
medication blood)
penicillin or rifampicin
antacids
iron containing
products
bismuth containing products
sucralfate-containing
products
activated charcoal colestyramine
didanosine tablets quinapril
barbiturates, carbamazepine, phenytoin and primidone ciclosporins
methoxyflurane isotretinoin sulfonylurea agents
oral contraceptives
(antibiotics to treat infections)
(used to neutralise acid in your stomach) (used to treat low iron levels)
(used to treat stomach ulcers) (used to treat stomach ulcers)
(used to treat poisoning)
(used to reduce cholesterol levels and prevent heart disease, to treat itching due to liver problems and diarrhoea)
(used to treat HIV)
(used to treat high blood pressure or heart failure)
(medication to control epilepsy)
(used to suppress your immune system after an organ transplant)
(a type of anaesthetic)
(used to treat acne)
(used to treat diabetes, e.g. chlorpropamide, glibenclamide, gliclazide, glimepiride, glipizide or gliquidone)
(used to prevent pregnancy).
Please tell your dentist, doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.
Taking with food and drink
Periostat should be taken at least one hour before meals.
Food containing large amounts of calcium (e.g. milk, dairy products and calcium-containing fruit juices) should be avoided until at least 2 to 3 hours after taking Periostat.
Consult with your doctor before taking Periostat if you regularly drink large amounts of alcohol.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Periostat should not be used during pregnancy or if you are breastfeeding. Taking Periostat during pregnancy may result in permanent discolouration of your child’s teeth.
Periostat passes into the milk of breast-feeding mothers and therefore you should not breast-feed whilst taking this medicine.
Driving and using machines
Taking Periostat may make you feel sick or dizzy. If you are affected you should not drive or use machines until the effect has worn off.
Important information about some of the ingredients of Periostat
This product contains lactose. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.
• you have Stevens-Johnson syndrome (a serious illness which causes blistering of the skin, lining of the mouth, throat, eyes and genitals).
1 in 10 patients) of Periostat
• headache
• common cold
13. How to take Periostat |
Always take Periostat exactly as your dentist has told you to. You should check with your dentist, doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
The usual dose is one tablet in the morning and one in the evening. Periostat should be taken at least one hour before going to bed for the night and at least one hour before meals. Try and take the medication at the same times each day.
The tablets should be swallowed with a drink of water in the sitting or standing position followed by plenty of fluid. Do not lie down immediately after taking the tablet.
Periostat is usually taken for a minimum of 3 months and can be taken for up to 9 months at a time. It is important that you continue to take Periostat until your dentist tells you to stop.
What to do if you take more Periostat than you should
If you accidentally take too many tablets, or someone else takes any of your medicine, you should tell your doctor at once or contact the nearest accident and emergency department. Show any left-over medicines or the empty packet to the doctor.
If you forget to take Periostat
Do not worry. If you forget to take a dose, just take the next dose as normal. DO NOT take a double dose. Then go on as before.
If you stop taking Periostat
Complete the prescribed course unless otherwise directed by your dentist or doctor.
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your dentist, doctor or pharmacist.
14. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, Periostat can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Contact your doctor or dentist immediately if:
• you have a severe allergic reaction which includes sudden wheeziness, chest pain, difficulty in breathing, sudden swelling, fever, skin rash or itching (see Section 2 Check before you take Periostat)
• you have severe headaches together with disturbed vision. This may mean you have increased pressure in the brain
• you have diarrhoea which is watery or contains blood (see Section 2 Check before you take Periostat)
• you suspect you have a problem with your liver (this may cause yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes and/or severe stomach pains) (see Section 2 Check before you take Periostat)
• flu like symptoms (such as fever).
Common side effects (more than 1 in 100 patients) of Periostat include:
• acid indigestion (heartburn)
• feeling sick
• diarrhoea
• indigestion
• rash
• sinusitis (inflammation of the nasal passages), coughing and bronchitis
• tooth abscess
• sore throat and sinus headache
• toothache, pain of any sort, joint and back pain
• period pains
• infection (e.g. thrush).
Uncommon side effects (more than 1 in 1000 patients) of Periostat include:
• muscle and gum pain
• flaking or peeling of the skin.
• Lack or loss of appetite, inflammation of the tongue and difficulty in swallowing.
• Inflammation and/or ulcers of the gullet (food pipe). This can be avoided by taking Periostat in an upright position with water (see Section 3 How to take Periostat).
• Increase in blood urea (this is detected by a blood test).
• If you suffer from a disease called systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an allergic condition which causes joint pain, skin rashes and fever you may notice your condition gets worse.
• Separation or loosening of a fingernail or toenail from its nail bed following exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet rays
If any of the side effects gets worse, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your dentist, doctor or pharmacist.
You can also report side effects directly via the internet at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or call Freephone 0808 100 3352.
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
15. How to store Periostat |
Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
Do not use Periostat after the expiry date {EXP mm yyyy} which is stated on the white container or blister pack. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Do not store above 25°C. Do not remove the tablets from the container or blister pack until you are ready to take the medicine. When tablets are supplied in a white container, always ensure the desiccant is returned to the container, and the container tightly closed after each dose is removed. Do not swallow the desiccant, and should this occur, contact your dentist or doctor immediately. Do not take Periostat if you notice the appearance of the tablets has changed in any way.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
16. Further information What is in Periostat?
The active ingredient in this medicine is doxycycline hyclate. Each tablet contains 23.08 mg doxycycline hyclate equivalent to 20 mg doxycycline. The other ingredients are:
• tablet core: microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate
• film-coating: lactose monohydrate, hypromellose (E464), titanium dioxide (E171) and triacetin.
What Periostat looks like and contents of the pack
Periostat tablets are white to off-white round tablets imprinted on one side with PS-20.
Periostat tablets are supplied in either blister packs contained in a carton (28 or 56 tablets) or in a white container, with a child resistant closure (60 tablets). Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer
The Marketing Authorisation Holder is: Alliance Pharmaceuticals Limited, Avonbridge House, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 2BB, UK.
Periostat is manufactured by: Chanelle Medical, Loughrea, Co. Galway, Ireland and TD Packaging Ltd, Unit 6, Stephenson Road, Groundwell Industrial Estate, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN25 5AX, UK.
The information in this leaflet applies only to Periostat. If you have any questions or you are not sure about anything, ask your dentist, doctor or a pharmacist.
This leaflet was last revised: November 2013.
Periostat is a registered trademark of Alliance Pharmaceuticals Limited.
Alliance and associated devices are registered trademarks of Alliance Pharmaceuticals Limited.
© Alliance Pharmaceuticals Limited 2013.
Rare side effects (more than 1 in 10,000 patients) of Periostat include:
• vaginal and anal thrush (causing soreness and/or itching of the rectal and/or genital area) and oral thrush (causing pale patches at the corner of your mouth).
Very rare side effects of Periostat include:
• dizziness
• stomach pain, constipation, dry mouth and temporary tooth discolouration
• colitis (inflammation of the intestines which can cause stomach pain, diarrhoea and other symptoms) and pseudomembranous colitis (infection of the intestines which can cause stomach pain, fever and diarrhoea)
• your skin becoming sensitive to sunlight
• weakness
• itching.
Other side effects that have occurred in people taking other tetracyclines similar to Periostat are:
LA5130
• Blood disorders. These are due to an imbalance in numbers of different cell types in the blood. Symptoms may include tiredness, easy bruising, nose bleeds or susceptibility to infection.