clarithromycin + hydroxychloroquine

Clarithromycin + hydroxychloroquine is a combination antibiotic and immunomodulatory regimen investigated for the treatment of persistent symptoms attributed to Lyme disease (Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome). Clarithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic that inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit. Hydroxychloroquine is an antimalarial agent that also possesses immunomodulatory properties, including the inhibition of lysosomal activity and antigen presentation. This specific combination was evaluated by Radboud University Medical Center in the PLEASE (Persistent Lyme Empiric Antibiotic Study Europe) trial. The study aimed to determine if a 12-week course of these oral medications, following initial intravenous ceftriaxone, improved health-related quality of life in patients with long-term symptoms like fatigue and musculoskeletal pain. Results published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2016 indicated that the prolonged treatment did not provide significant clinical benefit over placebo.

Other names

clarithromycin and hydroxychloroquinePLEASE trial antibiotic regimen