The standard treatment duration is between 10-28 days, but there tends to be a fairly large relapse rate for those who are deemed as "cured" after the round of antibiotics.1 Additionally, there are many for whom this traditional treatment path does not produce curative results, and many people continue to have spirochete loads that stay in their bodies regardless of treatment regime or symptom reduction.1
Continual antibiotic use for Lyme disease patients (and patients of any condition for that matter) can compromise the body's innate immune function, leaving the host more susceptible to other infection or less-able to combat internal conditions. This is because repeated antibiotic use alters the initial gut flora by killing off both the beneficial bacteria along with the infectious bacteria, leaving the system compromised.1
Common names for antibiotics used in the treatment of lyme disease include:
Common names for antibiotics used in the treatment of lyme disease include:
][4]Antibiotics are given to treat patients in all stages of Lyme disease. Their aim is to kill the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. Relapse may follow the use of any antibiotic, and a repeat course of therapy may be necessary. Some people may continue to develop symptoms and complications of the disease even after the bacteria are killed.
Doxycycline—This is a type of tetracycline antibiotic. It is given in pill form for several weeks or sometimes longer. Doxycycline can cause an upset stomach and should be taken with food. It cannot be used in pregnant women and children under 8 years of age.
Amoxicillin—This is a type of penicillin antibiotic. It is given to pregnant women, children under 8, and those allergic to tetracycline. It is also given in pill form for several weeks. It can be taken on an empty or full stomach.
Cefuroxime and ceftriaxone—These are cephalosporin antibiotics. They are given when you cannot take either of the other antibiotics, or if you have serious complications. Cefuroxime is usually given in pill form and should be taken with a full glass of water. They can be taken with food or a glass of milk if they upset your stomach. Ceftriaxone may be given in intravenous (IV) form or as an intramuscular injection.
Common names for antibiotics used in the treatment of lyme disease include:
Antibiotics are given to treat patients in all stages of Lyme disease. Their aim is to kill the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. Relapse may follow the use of any antibiotic, and a repeat course of therapy may be necessary. Some people may continue to develop symptoms and complications of the disease even after the bacteria are killed.
Doxycycline—This is a type of tetracycline antibiotic. It is given in pill form for several weeks or sometimes longer. Doxycycline can cause an upset stomach and should be taken with food. It cannot be used in pregnant women and children under 8 years of age.
Amoxicillin—This is a type of penicillin antibiotic. It is given to pregnant women, children under 8, and those allergic to tetracycline. It is also given in pill form for several weeks. It can be taken on an empty or full stomach.
Cefuroxime and ceftriaxone—These are cephalosporin antibiotics. They are given when you cannot take either of the other antibiotics, or if you have serious complications. Cefuroxime is usually given in pill form and should be taken with a full glass of water. They can be taken with food or a glass of milk if they upset your stomach. Ceftriaxone may be given in intravenous (IV) form or as an intramuscular injection.
Beta-lactam
Common names for Beta-lactam include:
Possible side effects include:
Cases of acute sinusitis usually get better on their own, without the use of antibiotics. In fact, studies have shown that antibiotics are not effective in treating acute sinusitis.
However, in some cases, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic to kill the bacteria that cause sinusitis.
There are many types of antibiotics available for the treatment of sinusitis. In cases of acute sinusitis, amoxicillin or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is usually tried first because they are cost effective. If you're allergic to either drug, cephalosporin (eg, cefuroxime) or a macrolide antibiotic (clarithromycin, azithromycin) is used.
If there is no symptomatic improvement after one week, a stronger antibiotic is used, such as amoxicillin-clavulanate, quinolone (eg, ciprofloxacin), or cephalosporin (eg, cefuroxime). After 3-4 weeks without a response, clindamycin or metronidazole is added. Oral or nasal decongestants may be added to allow drainage of the sinuses. If antibiotics fail to bring about improvement, you may be hospitalized and given intravenous antibiotics, which is usually accompanied by surgical drainage.
In cases of chronic or recurrent sinusitis, your doctor may do an endoscopic procedure to drain the obstructed sinuses and remove a sample of tissue for testing. Based on the results of this testing, your doctor can prescribe an appropriate antibiotic for you.
If you are given an antibiotic, you’ll need to take it for 10-14 days, or longer if you have chronic sinusitis.
Cases of acute sinusitis usually get better on their own, without the use of antibiotics. In fact, studies have shown that antibiotics are not effective in treating acute sinusitis.
However, in some cases, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic to kill the bacteria that cause sinusitis.
There are many types of antibiotics available for the treatment of sinusitis. In cases of acute sinusitis, amoxicillin or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is usually tried first because they are cost effective. If you're allergic to either drug, cephalosporin (eg, cefuroxime) or a macrolide antibiotic (clarithromycin, azithromycin) is used.
If there is no symptomatic improvement after one week, a stronger antibiotic is used, such as amoxicillin-clavulanate, quinolone (eg, ciprofloxacin), or cephalosporin (eg, cefuroxime). After 3-4 weeks without a response, clindamycin or metronidazole is added. Oral or nasal decongestants may be added to allow drainage of the sinuses. If antibiotics fail to bring about improvement, you may be hospitalized and given intravenous antibiotics, which is usually accompanied by surgical drainage.
In cases of chronic or recurrent sinusitis, your doctor may do an endoscopic procedure to drain the obstructed sinuses and remove a sample of tissue for testing. Based on the results of this testing, your doctor can prescribe an appropriate antibiotic for you.
