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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffThe standard treatment for anthrax is a 60-day course of an antibiotic, such as ciprofloxacin or doxycycline. Which antibiotic or combination of antibiotics will be most effective for you depends on the type of anthrax you have, your age, overall health and other factors. Treatment is most effective when started as soon as possible.
Although some cases of anthrax respond to antibiotics, advanced inhalation anthrax may not. By the later stages of the disease, the bacteria have often produced more toxins than drugs can eliminate.
- Anthrax. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/dfbmd/disease_listing/anthrax_gi.html. Accessed March 23, 2009.
- Anthrax Q & A: Anthrax & influenza. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/anthrax/faq/flu.asp. Accessed March 23, 2009.
- Anthrax Q & A: Vaccination. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/anthrax/faq/vaccination.asp. Accessed March 23, 2009.
- Shadomy SV, et al. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of anthrax. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 23, 2009.
- Shadomy SV, et al. Treatment and prevention of anthrax. http://uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 23, 2009.
- Anthrax Q & A: Diagnosis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/anthrax/faq/diagnosis.asp. Accessed March 23, 2009.
- Anthrax. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/cber/vaccine/anthrax.htm. Accessed March 23, 2009.
- Questions and answers about anthrax. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/anthrax/faq/index.asp. Accessed March 23, 2009.
- Manano N, et al. Effects of a reduced dose schedule and intramuscular administration of anthrax vaccine adsorbed on immunogenicity and safety at 7 months: A retrospective study. JAMA. 2008;300:1532.
- Inhalation anthrax associated with dried animal hides - Pennsylvania and New York City, 2006. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5510a4.htm. Accessed March 30, 2009.
- Meyer MA. Neurologic complications of anthrax: A review of the literature. Archives of Neurology. 2003;60:483.
- Anthrax Q and A: Preventive therapy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/anthrax/faq/preventive.asp. Accessed March 29, 2009.
