catagoryagentMajor features Penicillin**Amoxicillin Extended spectrum of antimicrobial activity; excellent oral absorption; used systemically Augmentin † † Effective against penicillinase-producing microorganisms; used systemically TetracyclinesMinocycline Effective against a broad spectrum of microorganisms; used systemically and applied locally (subgingivally) Doxycycline Tetracycline Effective against a broad spectrum of microorganisms; used systemically and applied locally (subgingivally) Chemotherapeutically used in subantimicrobial doses for host modulation (Periostat) Effective against a broad spectrum of microorganisms QuinoloneCiprofloxacin Effective against gram-negative rods; promotes health- associated microflora MacrolideAzithromycin Concentrates at sites of inflammation; used systemically Lincomycin derivative Clindamycin Used in penicillin-allergic patients; effective against anaerobic bacteria; used systemically Nitroimidazole ‡ ‡ Metronidazole Effective against anaerobic bacteria; used systemically and applied locally (subgingivally) as gel
Associated MicrofloraAntibiotic of choice Gram-positive organisms Amoxicillin–clavulanate potassium (Augmentin) Gram-negative organisms Clindamycin Nonoral gram-negative, facultative rods Ciprofloxacin Pseudomonads, staphylococci Black-pigmented bacteria and spirochetes Metronidazole Prevotella intermedia, Porphyromonas gingivalis Tetracycline Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans Metronidazole-amoxicillin Metronidazole-ciprofloxacin Tetracycline P. gingivalisAzithromycin
RegimenDosage/duration Single Agent Amoxicillin 500mg Three times daily for 8 days Azithromycin 500mg Once daily for 4 to 7 days Ciprofloxacin 500mg Twice daily for 8 days Clindamycin 300mg Three times daily 10 days Doxycycline or 100mg to 200mg Once daily for 21 days minocycline Metronidazole 500mg Three times daily for 8 days Combination Therapy Metronidazole + 250mg of each Three times daily for 8 days amoxicillin Metronidazole + 500mg of each Twice daily for 8 days ciprofloxacin