Lyme disease affecting the central nervous system
Drug details
Adults and children over 12 years old
1st line
Ceftriaxone (IV) 2 grams twice daily
OR
4 grams once daily
21 days
Adults and children over 12 years old
2nd line
Doxycycline 200mg twice daily
OR
400mg once daily
21 days
Children aged 9 to 12 years
1st line
Ceftriaxone (IV) (children 50kg and under)
80mg per kg once daily
21 days
Children aged 9 to 12 years
2nd line
see further information (a)
Doxycycline (children under 45kg)
2·5mg per kg twice daily on day one
then
2·5mg per kg daily in 1 or 2 divided doses
21 days
Children aged 9 to 12 years
For severe infections
see further information (a)
Doxycycline (children under 45kg)
Up to 5mg per kg once daily
21 days
Children aged under 9 years
1st line
Ceftriaxone (IV) (children 50kg and under)
80mg per kg once daily
21 days
If lumbar puncture is being performed, please note that CSF samples MUST be accompanied by serum taken on the same day. For further information, please see the Scottish Microbiology Reference Laboratory, Inverness: Lyme disease and tick-borne infections user manual.
For glossary of terms see Glossary