Can a common antibiotic ease lingering lyme fatigue?
NCT ID NCT05219929
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether taking tetracycline for 3 months is tolerable for people with Post-Treatment Lyme Disease (PTLD) — those who still have symptoms like fatigue after standard antibiotic treatment. 60 adults received either tetracycline or a placebo, then switched treatments. The main goal was to see how many side effects occurred and if people could stick with the therapy. Results may help decide if larger studies on symptom relief are worthwhile.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
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60 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Nov 2022
- Finished
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Jun 2026
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 80 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * ≥ 18 to 80 years of age * Meet criteria operationalized from the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) case definition for PTLD (ref) previously treated with at least one recommended course of antibiotic therapy. * Have persistent symptoms in at least the last month. "Currently have at least one symptom attributed to Lyme disease that a) you've experienced in the past month and b) limits your daily functioning at least half the time when its present" * Fatigue Severity Scale survey score of at least 4.0 signifying moderate or greater severity of fatigue. * Medical Records documented history of definite or probable Lyme disease with onset starts in the last 5 years, with symptoms developing within 1 year of Lyme onset. Definite LD. Medical record documented history of erythema migrans or medical record documented history of a Lyme disease compatible neurologic, cardiac or musculoskeletal manifestation of Lyme disease with a confirmatory 2-tier serology, modified 2-tier serologic test, or immunoglobulin G (IgG) western blot and a lack of alternative diagnosis Probable LD. Medical record documented history of Lyme disease with atypical or nonspecific manifestations with a confirmatory 2-tier serology, modified 2-tier serologic test, or IgG western blot and a lack of alternative diagnosis. Exclusion Criteria: * Medications: No antibiotics in the prior 2 months No change in medications during the prior 4 months that might have an impact on primary and secondary outcome measures. See list. No immunosuppressive medications No medications that interact with tetracycline: atovaquone, retinoid medications taken by mouth (such as acitretin, isotretinoin), strontium, digoxin, kaolin pectin, warfarin Use of prescription or over the counter (OTC) medications containing calcium (i.e. Tums) • History of the following conditions predating the diagnosis of Lyme disease: Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome Fibromyalgia Autoimmune disease * Major psychiatric conditions Bipolar disorder, delusional disorder, schizophrenia Major depression Suicidal ideation with intent during the prior 6 months * History of the following conditions in the last 4 months Alcohol or substance abuse Cancer (other than skin) Untreated HIV/AIDS Untreated moderate to severe sleep apnea Hepatitis A, B or C Pregnancy or intent to become pregnant Breastfeeding * BMI greater than 40 * Other conditions at the discretion of the clinician
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Johns Hopkins Lyme Disease Research Center
Lutherville, Maryland, 21093, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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