Amoxicillin for Lyme Disease: Effectiveness & Treatment

Lyme disease is a tick-borne disease. In the early stages (stage one) of Lyme disease, your physician may prescribe the antibiotic amoxicillin. If caught during this stage, the condition may be completely curable.

Cause of Lyme Disease

• Ticks infected with the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi transmit the infection through bites. Ticks must be attached at least 48 hours to infect their hosts.

Features

• Amoxicillin is a member of the penicillin-like antibiotic medicine group. It works as a bactericidal agent, an agent capable of destroying bacteria.

Benefits

• Amoxicillin speeds the mending of the rash associated with Lyme disease. It also prevents Lyme disease associated joint and neurological problems.

Time Frame

• Your physician may prescribe oral amoxicillin for a period range from 10 to 21 days.

Alternatives

• In some cases, Augmentin XR (amoxicillin and clavulanate) may be prescribed. Physicians use this combination to treat resistant forms of Lyme disease.

Preferred Antibiotic for Children

• Pregnant women, lactating women and children are typically treated with amoxicillin rather than the antibiotic doxycycline. Doxycycline may permanently stain permanent teeth in young children.