An evaluation of minocycline in patients with periodontal disease.

The purpose of this study was to determine the passage into and concentration of Minocycline HCl (Minocin) in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and the relationship between its concentration of saliva. GCF, serum and changes in periodontal health. Over an 8 day period, 10 adults with periodontal disease received orally 200 mg/day of Minocin and 10 other received 150 mg/day. The parameter evaluated included the DMF, gingival index, plaque index, crevice depth, oral soft tissue evaluation. SMA-12, CBC, prothrombin time, and concentrations of Minocin in serum, saliva and GCF. The DMF score, crevice depth, SMA-12, CBC and prothrombin time were determined on days 1 and 8. All other parameters were evaluated on days 1, 2, 3, 5 and 8. The results of this study showed that Minocin administration resulted in no significant changes in blood chemistry, blood counts and prothrombin time, was effective against oral microorganisms as shown by reductions in plaque scores, produces an improvement in gingival health, is present in serum at therapeutically effective levels when given in doses of either 200 mg or 150 mg per day and is concentrated in gingival crevicular fluid at levels 5 times as high as serum.