Lyme Disease
Commonly treated with Doxycycline, Amoxicillin & Cefuroxime
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged (deer) ticks. When caught early, it typically responds well to a short course of oral antibiotics. After a licensed provider reviews your health information, prescription treatment can be prescribed online and shipped from our licensed U.S. pharmacy.
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Order Lyme Disease Treatment Online
Medically reviewed by David Paul Mackarey, RPh, Pharmacist-in-Charge — Last updated July 15, 2026
Choosing and Using Your Treatment
| Treatment | Choose this if… | How to Take |
|---|---|---|
| Doxycycline Hyclate 100mg | First-line choice for most non-pregnant adults with early Lyme disease. | Take one capsule by mouth twice daily for 14 days. |
| Amoxicillin 500mg | A standard alternative for people who cannot take doxycycline, including during pregnancy when a provider recommends it. | Take 1 capsule by mouth three times daily for 14 days. |
| Cefuroxime 500mg | An alternative for those who cannot take doxycycline or amoxicillin. | Take 1 tablet by mouth twice daily for 14 days. |
About Lyme Disease (Lyme borreliosis)
Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which is carried by blacklegged ticks in many parts of the United States, especially the Northeast, mid-Atlantic, upper Midwest, and Pacific Coast. In most cases, a tick must be attached for 36 to 48 hours or more before the bacteria can be transmitted. The most recognizable early sign is an expanding circular rash called erythema migrans, which sometimes has a bull's-eye appearance, often accompanied by fever, fatigue, headache, and muscle or joint aches. If untreated, the infection can spread over weeks to months and affect the joints, heart, and nervous system. Early treatment with oral antibiotics is effective for most people, and prompt care lowers the risk of later complications. A provider will consider your symptoms, tick exposure history, and sometimes lab testing when deciding on treatment.
Signs & symptoms
- Expanding red rash (erythema migrans), sometimes with a bull's-eye appearance
- Fever and chills
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Muscle and joint aches
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Later stages: joint swelling, facial drooping, heart palpitations, or nerve pain
Causes & risk factors
- Bite from an infected blacklegged (deer) tick
- Ticks acquired in wooded, brushy, or grassy areas
- Tick attachment for roughly 36–48 hours or longer
- Outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, gardening, or hunting in endemic regions
- Pets carrying ticks into the home or yard
- Living in or visiting the Northeast, mid-Atlantic, upper Midwest, or Pacific Coast regions
Prevention
- Use EPA-registered insect repellent (such as DEET or picaridin) on skin
- Treat clothing and gear with 0.5% permethrin
- Wear long sleeves and pants and tuck pants into socks in tick habitat
- Walk in the center of trails and avoid tall grass and leaf litter
- Do a full-body tick check after being outdoors
- Shower soon after coming indoors
- Remove attached ticks promptly with fine-tipped tweezers
When to see a doctor
Online treatment can be a good fit for early Lyme disease in adults — for example, a recent tick bite in a high-risk area with a classic erythema migrans rash and mild symptoms — after a licensed provider reviews your history. See a provider in person if symptoms have lasted weeks, the diagnosis is unclear, you are pregnant, or symptoms involve the joints or nervous system, since these situations may need an exam and lab testing. Seek emergency care right away for chest pain, a slow or irregular heartbeat, fainting, severe headache with a stiff neck, facial drooping, or difficulty breathing, as these can signal Lyme complications affecting the heart or nervous system.
How Lyme Disease Progresses Without Treatment
Lyme disease is usually described in stages. Recognizing which stage you may be in helps determine whether online care is appropriate or an in-person evaluation is needed.
| Stage | Timing | Typical Features |
|---|---|---|
| Early localized | 3–30 days after the bite | Expanding erythema migrans rash, fever, fatigue, headache, muscle aches |
| Early disseminated | Weeks to months | Multiple rashes, facial palsy, nerve pain, heart rhythm changes (Lyme carditis) |
| Late disseminated | Months or longer | Arthritis with joint swelling (often the knee), ongoing nerve symptoms |
Removing a Tick Safely
- Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible.
- Pull upward with steady, even pressure — do not twist or jerk.
- Clean the bite area and your hands with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.
- Do not use heat, petroleum jelly, or nail polish to remove a tick.
- Note the date of the bite and watch the area for an expanding rash over the next 30 days.
Sources & References
Frequently Asked Questions
How do people get Lyme disease?
Lyme disease is spread through the bite of infected blacklegged (deer) ticks. In most cases the tick must be attached for about 36 to 48 hours before the bacteria are transmitted. It does not spread from person to person.
What does the Lyme disease rash look like?
The classic rash, called erythema migrans, starts at the site of the tick bite and expands gradually over days, sometimes reaching 12 inches or more. It may develop a bull's-eye appearance and is usually not itchy or painful. Not everyone with Lyme disease develops or notices a rash.
How is Lyme disease treated?
Early Lyme disease is treated with a course of oral antibiotics, most commonly doxycycline, amoxicillin, or cefuroxime. Most people who are treated early recover completely. The right antibiotic and length of treatment depend on your symptoms and health history, which a provider will review.
How soon after a tick bite should I get treated?
The sooner treatment starts, the better the outcome. If you develop a rash, fever, or flu-like symptoms within about 30 days of a tick bite, contact a provider promptly. In some cases, a single preventive dose of doxycycline may be considered shortly after a high-risk tick bite.
Can Lyme disease go away on its own?
Some early symptoms may fade without treatment, but the infection can remain and later cause problems in the joints, heart, or nervous system. Antibiotic treatment is recommended to clear the infection and reduce the risk of these complications.
Do I need a blood test before treatment?
Not always. If you have a classic erythema migrans rash after likely tick exposure in an area where Lyme disease is common, providers often treat without testing, because blood tests can be negative in the first weeks of infection. Testing is more useful for later-stage symptoms.
What is post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome?
A small percentage of people have lingering fatigue, aches, or difficulty concentrating for months after finishing antibiotics. The cause is not fully understood, and studies show that prolonged antibiotic courses do not help and can cause harm. Most people improve gradually over time; ongoing symptoms should be evaluated by a provider.
Is Lyme disease contagious?
No. Lyme disease does not spread through touching, kissing, coughing, or sexual contact. It is only transmitted through the bite of an infected tick.
Treatments for Lyme Disease
Find out more information about each treatment.