Pediatric Lyme Disease Medication
- Author: Russell W Steele, MD; Chief Editor: Russell W Steele, MD more...
Medication Summary
The antibiotic regimen for Lyme disease depends on the stage and manifestations of the disease.
Antibiotics
Class Summary
The goal of pharmacotherapy with antibiotics is to reduce morbidity and prevent complications. Antimicrobial therapy must be comprehensive and should cover all likely pathogens in the context of the clinical setting.
Amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox, Biomox)
Amoxicillin is a penicillin antibiotic and is the drug of choice for early localized and early disseminated disease without evidence of central nervous system (CNS) involvement. It can be used for arthritis that is not persistent or recurrent.
Doxycycline (Bio-Tab, Doxy, Vibramycin)
Doxycycline is a tetracycline antibiotic that is the drug of choice for early localized and early disseminated disease without evidence of CNS involvement. It can be used for arthritis that is not persistent or recurrent. It has also been promoted for single-dose postexposure prophylaxis.
Cefuroxime (Ceftin, Kefurox)
Cefuroxime is a second-generation cephalosporin that can be used for early localized and early disseminated disease without evidence of CNS involvement. It can be used for arthritis that is not persistent or recurrent.
Ceftriaxone (Rocephin)
Ceftriaxone is a third-generation cephalosporin that is the drug of choice for CNS infections (eg, meningitis, multiple cranioneuropathies), arthritis that is persistent (ie, minimal improvement within 7 d of initiating oral therapy with other agents) or recurrent, or for carditis.
Penicillin (Pfizerpen)
Penicillin has the same uses as ceftriaxone. Administer it for CNS infection, persistent or recurrent arthritis, and carditis.
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