Periostat 20 mg Tablets (doxycycline hyclate)

Periostat is a prescription oral medicine that contains low-dose doxycycline for use alongside professional periodontal (gum) care. Ships from Canada to US as part of a cross-border pharmacy fulfillment model. This page summarizes key label-based basics and practical handling notes, including access for people paying cash without insurance.

It can help to start with the underlying condition—periodontitis (advanced gum disease)—and how a dentist or periodontist typically treats it with cleaning below the gumline. For background, the Periodontitis Hub is a browseable starting point. The sections below also outline safety cautions, interactions, and storage so records stay clear during ongoing dental visits.

What Periostat Is and How It Works

This medicine contains doxycycline hyclate in a subantimicrobial dose (below typical antibiotic doses). In periodontal therapy, doxycycline at this dose is used for its effect on inflammation pathways rather than for treating an acute infection. Dispensing is handled by licensed Canadian partner pharmacies.

In gum disease, the body’s inflammatory response can increase matrix metalloproteinases (tissue-breakdown enzymes). Low-dose doxycycline can help reduce this enzyme activity, which may support periodontal attachment when used as an adjunct to mechanical cleaning. It is generally intended to be used with scaling and root planing (deep cleaning) and other dental measures, not as a replacement for routine plaque control and professional follow-up.

Because the dose is lower than infection-treating regimens, this product is not positioned as a standard “infection antibiotic” course. Clinicians may also use other doxycycline formulations for infections, but that is a different intent, dose, and monitoring approach. Keeping that distinction clear helps avoid mixing up tablets and instructions when multiple doxycycline products are on a medication list.

Who It’s For

Periostat is generally prescribed for adults with periodontitis (advanced gum disease) as an add-on to periodontal treatment performed by a dental professional. The goal is support of periodontal therapy—often alongside deep cleaning—when a prescriber believes host-response modulation may be useful. Many people encounter it through dental care plans that include scheduled re-evaluations and measurements of gum pocket depth over time.

This treatment is not appropriate for everyone. It should not be used by people with a known allergy to doxycycline or other tetracyclines. It is also typically avoided during pregnancy because tetracyclines can affect fetal tooth and bone development, and it is not recommended for children (commonly under age 8) due to the risk of permanent tooth discoloration. Breastfeeding considerations and individual risk factors should be reviewed with the prescriber, especially if there is a history of esophageal irritation, significant liver disease, or severe medication allergies.

Dental symptoms such as fever, spreading facial swelling, or severe pain can signal an acute infection that needs urgent assessment. A low-dose regimen may not be appropriate in those situations, and dental or medical evaluation should guide next steps.

Dosage and Usage

Periostat 20 mg dosage on the U.S. label is commonly described as one tablet taken twice daily (about every 12 hours), used as an adjunct to scaling and root planing. The total duration is set by the prescriber, and follow-up visits are part of safe use. Tablets should be swallowed with a full glass of water, and remaining upright for a period after dosing can lower the chance of esophageal irritation (a painful “pill stuck” feeling).

Food can influence stomach tolerance for many people. Some doxycycline products are taken with food to reduce nausea, while certain minerals can reduce absorption. The most important step is to follow the specific directions on the dispensed label and ask the pharmacy or prescriber if instructions differ from a prior doxycycline course.

Quick tip: Keeping a current medication and supplement list helps pharmacists screen for interactions.

For broader context on doxycycline scheduling language and common label wording, these guides can help: Doxycycline Dose Overview and Doxycycline Capsule Basics.

Strengths and Forms

This product is commonly supplied as tablets containing doxycycline hyclate 20 mg. Availability can vary by pharmacy partner and current supply, so the dispensed label should be treated as the source of truth for the exact manufacturer, appearance, and auxiliary warnings.

It helps to distinguish low-dose periodontal formulations from infection-dose doxycycline products (which are often 50 mg, 100 mg, or higher). Mixing strengths can lead to unintended dosing. If more than one doxycycline product is being used in a household, storing each in its original container and keeping dosing schedules written down can reduce errors.

Related dental and oral care items can be browsed in the Oral Health Products collection, which groups prescription and non-prescription offerings by category.

Storage and Travel Basics

Store tablets at controlled room temperature, protected from excess heat, moisture, and direct light. Bathrooms and cars often run humid or hot, so they are not ideal storage locations. Keeping the cap tightly closed and using the original bottle can help preserve product integrity and keep the prescription label available for reference.

When traveling, carry medicines in hand luggage when possible to reduce temperature swings and prevent loss. If tablets are moved into a pill organizer, keeping the original labeled container nearby can help with identification during routine checks or if a clinician asks for exact product details.

For broader oral-care topics and practical planning checklists, the Oral Health Articles hub can be used as a resource library.

Side Effects and Safety

Periostat can cause side effects similar to other doxycycline products, even at a lower dose. Commonly reported issues include stomach upset, nausea, diarrhea, and sensitivity to sunlight (photosensitivity), which can increase the risk of sunburn. Some people also experience headache or irritation of the esophagus, especially if a tablet is taken without enough water or right before lying down.

More serious reactions are uncommon but important to recognize. These can include severe allergic reactions (hives, swelling, trouble breathing), significant skin reactions, persistent severe diarrhea (possible C. difficile–associated diarrhea), or symptoms that could suggest increased intracranial pressure (for example, severe headache with vision changes). Any concerning symptoms should be evaluated promptly by a healthcare professional.

Why it matters: Early recognition of rare serious reactions helps clinicians adjust care safely.

Because doxycycline can affect developing teeth and bones, pregnancy and pediatric use restrictions matter even when the dose is low. Clear documentation of pregnancy status and age considerations supports safer prescribing and dispensing decisions.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Doxycycline can interact with products that contain polyvalent cations—such as aluminum, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc—which may bind the drug and reduce absorption. Common examples include antacids, some laxatives, iron supplements, and multivitamins. Spacing guidance varies by product, so the prescription label and pharmacist instructions should be followed rather than relying on a generic rule.

Other interactions and cautions may include anticoagulants (such as warfarin), isotretinoin and other retinoids (due to intracranial pressure risk), and certain seizure medicines that can change antibiotic levels. Prescriptions are confirmed with prescribers before dispensing. That verification step helps resolve mismatched directions and identify medication-list concerns that may need clarification.

Alcohol use, liver conditions, and a history of yeast infections can also be relevant. Sharing a complete medication, supplement, and allergy list with the prescriber and pharmacy supports safer screening before therapy starts.

Compare With Alternatives

Periostat is specifically a low-dose doxycycline approach used with periodontal therapy, so comparisons should focus on “intent” as much as on the ingredient. Standard-dose doxycycline products are commonly used for infections and have different directions, durations, and monitoring considerations. Substituting one for the other without prescriber input can lead to under-treatment of infection or unintended exposure to higher doses.

Some people may also see other oral antibiotics used in dental care when a clinician is treating a suspected infection, or non-antibiotic approaches such as antiseptic rinses and local periodontal measures. The appropriate choice depends on the diagnosis, exam findings, and dental procedure plan.

For reference when reviewing doxycycline listings, the platform may also list other formulations such as Doxycyclin Details or Doxycyclin Fc Details. These products may differ in strength and indication, so label directions and prescriber intent remain central.

Pricing and Access

Periostat requires a valid prescription and is not over the counter. Access through this site is structured as a referral and fulfillment pathway that connects U.S. patients with Canadian pharmacy partners for dispensed medication after documentation review. Coverage, if any, varies by plan, and many people compare cash-pay options when pharmacy benefits are limited.

Periostat cost can depend on the dispensing pharmacy, the quantity supplied, and whether a generic low-dose doxycycline option is available at the time of dispensing. Cash-pay access may be used by people without insurance. If exploring site-wide programs that can change over time, Site Promotions is the centralized reference page.

For site actions, prescription upload and verification steps occur before dispensing so the label matches the prescriber’s directions.

Authoritative Sources

For the most precise prescribing information, rely on official labeling and reputable drug information sources. These references are useful for checking indications, contraindications, and interaction language when questions come up during dental treatment planning.

Neutral, third-party sources that may help include:

• U.S. drug label listings via the National Library of Medicine: DailyMed Periostat label search.
• Patient-friendly doxycycline information from NIH: MedlinePlus doxycycline overview.
• General periodontal disease education from a dental organization: American Dental Association gum disease topic.

When placing an order through the platform, select prompt, express shipping if it is available at checkout.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.