1Specialist in oral medicine, Ministry of Interior, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. BDS
2General Dentistry, Ministry of Interior, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. BDS
3General Dentistry, Ministry of Interior, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. BDS
4General Dentistry, Ministry of Interior, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. BDS
5General Dentistry, Ministry of Interior, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. BDS
Doxycycline is a semisynthetic tetracycline antibiotic with well-established antimicrobial, anti-collagenolytic, and host-modulatory properties that support its continued use in periodontal therapy. In addition to its activity against key periodontal pathogens, doxycycline inhibits matrix metalloproteinases, reduces inflammatory mediators, limits connective tissue breakdown, and contributes to improved periodontal healing. These properties have expanded its role beyond conventional systemic antibiotic therapy and positioned it as an important agent in local periodontal drug-delivery strategies. This review highlights the pharmacologic profile of doxycycline, including its mechanism of action, therapeutic indications, adverse effects, contraindications, and major drug interactions, with particular emphasis on periodontal applications. Special focus is placed on doxycycline-based local delivery systems and controlled-release formulations designed to achieve high subgingival concentrations, prolonged retention within periodontal pockets, sustained therapeutic release, bioadhesion, biodegradability, and reduced systemic exposure. The review also discusses clinically relevant formulations such as subantimicrobial-dose doxycycline, Atridox, and Ligosan, and outlines their roles as adjuncts to scaling and root planing in the management of chronic periodontitis and supportive periodontal care. Overall, doxycycline remains a versatile therapeutic agent in periodontics because it combines antimicrobial efficacy with host modulation and delivery-system adaptability. Its ability to function in both systemic and locally controlled-release forms makes it especially relevant to modern periodontal treatment strategies aimed at improving clinical outcomes while minimizing unnecessary systemic adverse effects.
Keywords: Doxycycline; Periodontal therapy; Local drug delivery; Controlled-release systems; Host modulation; Subantimicrobial-dose doxycycline; Atridox; Ligosan; Chronic periodontitis; Scaling and root planing
How to cite this article: Alhazzaa SF, Aldowesh AM, Alsultan FI, Idrees FF, Alshehri MA. Doxycycline in Periodontal Therapy: Local Drug Delivery Systems, Host Modulation, and Clinical Applications. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(11s): 916-926. DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.11s.91
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None