This article can give you a general idea about each of the medicines listed below. Only the most general side effects are listed. Ask your doctor if you need to take any special precautions. Use medicine as recommended by your doctor. If you have questions about use or side effects, contact your doctor.
Two main medicines used for Lyme disease include:
Common names include:
Antibiotics are given in all stages of Lyme disease. Their aim is to kill the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. A repeat course of antibiotic therapy may be needed if Lyme disease infection recurs. Some people may continue to develop symptoms and complications of the disease even after treatment. Common antibiotics used are:
Some problems may be:
Common names are:
NSAIDs are pain relievers. They may be used to manage pain from arthritis due to Lyme disease. The dose depends on the amount of pain. For severe pain, NSAIDs are available in higher doses by prescription. They should be taken with food and a full glass of water.
Some problems may be:
When taking medicine:
Lantos PM, Rumbaugh J, et al. Clinical practice guidelines by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), American Academy of Neurology (AAN), and American College of Rheumatology (ACR): 2020 Guidelines for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of Lyme disease. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2021;73(1):1-9.
Lyme disease. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/lyme-disease. Accessed November 15, 2021.
Lyme disease treatment. Lyme Disease website. Available at: https://www.lymedisease.org/lyme-basics/lyme-disease/treatment. Accessed November 15, 2021.
Treatment. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at:
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Accessed November 15, 2021.
Last reviewed November 2021 by EBSCO Medical Review Board
David L. Horn, MD
Last Updated: 11/15/2021