Antibiotic treatment of post-Lyme syndrome is ineffective

Abstract

Post-Lyme syndrome happens in patients who received standard treatment of 2-4 weeks of antibiotics, but still have chronic symptoms. These symptoms include muscle or joint pain, fatigue, memory or thinking difficulty, irritability, difficulty sleeping, depression, headache, or limb weakness. These symptoms occur without lab evidence for them such as markers of inflammation. Some clinicians suggest treatment with months of antibiotics. However, in three large clinical trials, long term treatment with antibiotics was the same as placebo in the treatment of these symptoms. While there currently is no treatment to cure post-Lyme syndrome, it is important for the patient to work closely with their physician to manage the symptoms.