CLINICAL USE OF DOXYCYCLINE

Abstract

Studies on a new tetracycline derivative, doxycycline, were conducted in regard to the distribution of the antibiotic into the human saliva, sensitivity to the antibiotic of the strains isolated from the suppurative foci of the jaw and the strains of Actinomyces isolated from actinomycosis and clinical effect.
1) To 5 normal subjects a single dose of 200 mg of doxycycline was administered and the antibiotic levels of the blood and especially of the parotid saliva were determined at various intervals. In both the peak level was observed at 6 hours after administration and the antibiotic was still present even after 24 hours. There was a tendency for the saliva level of doxycycline to parallel generally the blood level and the antibiotic was present in the blood and saliva for a long period.
2) The MICs of doxycycline, tetracycline and penicillin-G for 29 strains isola ted from the suppurative foci were determined.
3) Doxy cycline was administered to 42 cases with suppurative lesions of the jaw and 25. postoperative cases for prophylaxis of infection, and in 57 cases (85. 1%) the effect was markedly effective or fair. Side effects were observed in 10 cases, among which the administration was discontinued in 2 because of vomiting. The other side effects were mild gastric symtoms, and the administration of the antibiotic was continued.