Ramirez-Amador, V., Anaya-Saavedra, G., Labardini-Mendez, J., & Ponce de Leon-Rosales, S. (2018). Double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial evaluating doxycycline effects on chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis. Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 43, 202–208.

PURPOSE: To use sub-antimicrobial doxycycline 50 mg per day on patients with leukemia to reduce the onset and severity of OM

TYPES OF PATIENTS ADDRESSED: Patients with ML or LL

RESOURCE TYPE: Evidence-based guideline

PROCESS OF DEVELOPMENT: Patients aged 15 years and older with specific leukemia (N = 47). Patients had basic oral examination and were taught oral care protocol. A baseline oral examination was done three times per week for three weeks. The strategy of development was to prevent the devastating consequences of OM in patients with leukemia. 

INCLUSION CRITERIA: Aged 15 years or older, male or female

EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Patients using the following medications: acitretin, isotretinoin, or tretinin

• PHASE OF CARE: Diagnostic    
• APPLICATIONS: Palliative care

The low-dose use of doxycycline proved ineffective in the management of OM in patients with acute leukemia during chemotherapy.

Effectiveness unlikely. The intervention with doxycycline lacks effectiveness in the reduction of the severity or onset of OM in patients with leukemia.

The findings are not generalizable; limited to one disease group.

The nursing implication is that continued attention to OM is needed to manage and treat the dose interruption and debilitating nutritional problems associated in patients receiving treatment for cancer.