Mucositis is treated and/or prevented by administrating to a patient a
formulation comprising a tetracycline that is poorly absorbed from the gastro-intestinal
tract. The tetracycline may be in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt
or a base. The formulations may optionally also contain an antifungal agent to
prevent fungal overgrowth due to reduction in the normal oral flora by the tetracycline.
Such compositions have the advantage of treating the entire gastro-intestinal tract
since the active ingredient is not removed from the tract via absorption. Further,
such compositions minimize systemic exposure and accompanying side effects.
