Some ticks carry a type of bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi. If you’re bitten by an infected tick, this microbe may enter your bloodstream and cause an illness called Lyme disease.
It’s the most common illness carried by ticks in the U.S. It can damage any organ of your body. That includes your nervous system, brain, heart, and joints.
Lyme disease can be tough to diagnose. Early symptoms, such as headaches and body aches, are often mistaken for other health problems.
How you’re treated will depend on how much bacteria has spread through your body at diagnosis. Early treatment is important because it can help you get well and prevent the disease from worsening.
“Prolonged untreated Lyme could lead to chronic conditions like Lyme arthritics or persistent Lyme,” says Jayakumar Rajadas, PhD, a senior research scientist at Stanford University.
Is Lyme Disease Curable?
Yes, it can be cured with medicines called antibiotics that fight off bacteria. The key is to get diagnosed and treated as soon as possible to prevent other health problems called complications.
Treatment for Early-Stage Lyme disease
If your Lyme disease is found soon after you’ve been infected, your doctor will start you on antibiotics that you take by mouth. Some of the most commonly used antibiotics are:
- Amoxicillin
- Cefuroxime
- Doxycycline
Which drug you’re prescribed will depend on things such as your age, symptoms, and any allergies you have. Your doctor will also take into account if you’re pregnant or nursing. You typically need to take this medicine for 10-21 days.
The earlier Lyme disease is found, the better. Most people who start treatment in this stage improve quickly. If not, your doctor may need to prescribe another course of antibiotics.
Treatment for Late-Stage Lyme Disease
If there are signs that the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria has spread to your central nervous system or heart or caused long-lasting arthritis symptoms, you can still be treated with antibiotics. The difference is that the medicine will be given to you directly into a vein (IV). This allows it to go right into your bloodstream and start working.
Most people receive IV antibiotics for two to three weeks. During this time, your doctor will also try to ease some of your symptoms and any pain you’re in. This could involve physical therapy, antidepressants, diet changes, or types of stretching like yoga.
It’s likely this treatment will get rid of the bacteria that’s making you sick. Still, it could take some time for your symptoms to go away.
IV antibiotics also come with side effects. These can include diarrhea and a low white blood cell count, which makes it hard for your body to fight off other infections.
Treatment for Chronic Lyme Disease
Sometimes, people go through treatment for Lyme disease, but their symptoms (feeling run-down and achy) don’t go away. If this lasts over six months, it’s known as chronic Lyme disease or “posttreatment Lyme disease syndrome” (PTLDS). Some doctors also call it persistent Lyme disease.
Doctors still aren’t sure why some people get PTLDS. Some believe that getting Lyme disease may cause damage to your tissues or immune system. Others believe it’s because the bacteria causing Lyme disease weren’t fully cleared.
There is little evidence that taking more antibiotics at this stage will help. They may actually be harmful. Instead, your doctor will focus on treating the symptoms you’re still having. This will be different for everyone. Some people could benefit from a medicine that relieves fatigue, while others may need a drug that can help with headaches or very sensitive skin.
Your doctor could also have you try a treatment that helps people with chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia.
More research is needed to figure out how best to treat PTLDS. It can be frustrating, but many people who have this condition do start feeling like their old selves after a few months.
What Medications Are Used to Treat Lyme Disease?
Medicines called antibiotics are the only effective treatments for Lyme disease itself. These drugs help clear up infections caused by tiny germs called bacteria. They work by destroying bacteria or keeping them from multiplying.
Doctors can also prescribe drugs that treat ongoing symptoms linked to Lyme disease, such as:
- Pain
- Headaches
- Extreme tiredness (fatigue)
- Poor sleep
- Sad or worried feelings that last a while
- Short-term memory problems
What Else You Should Know
No matter what stage of Lyme disease you have, make sure to go to all your doctor appointments. This is important, even if you start feeling better. They’ll also want to know if you start feeling worse or are having new symptoms. If so, you may need a change in treatment.
What is the best drug to treat Lyme disease?
That’s unclear. Rajadas says that some animal studies may provide some clues, although the results don’t necessarily apply to people. “Scientists from Northwestern University discovered that piperacillin, an antibiotic similar to penicillin, can effectively eliminate Lyme-causing bacteria in mice at a dose 100 times lower than the standard treatment with doxycycline. Our Stanford lab found that azlocillin may be a more effective drug for treating acute and persistent Lyme disease,” he says.
The right drug for you depends on things such as your age, symptoms, and allergies.
Takeaways
A bite from a tick that carries a certain kind of bacteria can lead to an illness called Lyme disease. Medicines that fight bacteria, called antibiotics, are the main treatment for Lyme disease. It’s important to get treatment as early as possible to make a full recovery and avoid complications.
Treatments for Lyme Disease FAQs
What is the first line of treatment for Lyme disease?
Medicines called antibiotics are the first line of treatment for Lyme disease.
What antibiotic is good for a tick bite?
By and large, the CDC doesn’t recommend taking antibiotics after a tick bite. But in some cases — such as when you are bitten by a tick in an area where Lyme disease is common — your doctor might prescribe a dose of the antibiotic doxycycline to help prevent infection. Ask your doctor if this is right for you.
Is late-stage Lyme disease curable?
Yes. It’s possible for antibiotics to cure late-stage Lyme disease. You’ll likely receive these meds through a vein (IV).
