Infectious Mononucleosis

There are no specific medicines used to treat mono. Over-the-counter medicines may be used to help treat the symptoms of mono.

Medication Choices

Over-the-counter pain relievers, including acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) and ibuprofen (such as Advil), may be used to relieve headaches and a sore throat. Do not give aspirin to anyone under the age of 20, because its use has been linked with Reye's syndrome.

In severe cases, corticosteroids may be used to reduce swelling of the throat, tonsils, or spleen.

Some people get strep throat while they have mono (although mono does not cause strep throat). Strep throat is caused by a bacterial infection and can be treated with antibiotics, such as penicillin or erythromycin. Taking antibiotics such as ampicillin or amoxicillin to treat strep throat may cause a rash in many people who have mono.¹ A rash caused by antibiotics can often be a first sign that the person has mono. The rash is not an allergic reaction.

Antiviral drugs do not improve the symptoms of mono or shorten the length of the illness.⁵

What To Think About

Nonprescription medicines are commonly used to relieve symptoms, but they do not shorten the duration of the illness. Aspirin should not be used to treat symptoms of mono in people under the age of 20, because it is linked to a serious disease known as Reye's syndrome.