Treatment

Few people survive naegleria infection, even with treatment. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for survival.

The recommended treatment for naegleria infection is a combination of drugs, including:

• Amphotericin B, an antifungal drug that is usually injected into a vein (intravenously) or into the space around the spinal cord to kill the amoebas.
• Miltefosine (Impavido), an investigational drug that is usually used to treat breast cancer and leishmaniasis but has also shown promise against the naegleria amoeba in laboratory and animal studies. It has also been used to successfully treat infections with other types of amoebas.
• Other antifungal drugs.
• Antibiotics.

In addition to these drugs, your doctor may recommend other medications or treatment options to manage or decrease brain swelling.