This document discusses tetracycline and its modifications. It begins with an introduction to tetracyclines as broad spectrum antibiotics discovered in 1948. It then covers the classification, structural activity relationship, and mechanism of action of tetracyclines. The rest of the document discusses the spectrum of activity, uses, side effects, drug interactions, resistance, and local drug delivery of tetracyclines for periodontal applications. It provides examples of commercially available tetracycline-containing local drug delivery products and studies on their effectiveness.