Risk of using hydroxychloroquine as a treatment of COVID-19.

Int J Risk Saf Med

Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Hashemite University, Jordan.

Published: September 2020

AI Article Synopsis

  • The COVID-19 pandemic threatens global health, and with no antivirals or vaccines available, the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has garnered attention as a potential treatment.
  • Limited clinical data raise doubts about HCQ's effectiveness for COVID-19, while its serious side effects, such as blindness and heart failure, pose additional risks, especially for severe cases or patients with preexisting conditions.
  • There is a call for further research to determine the drug's optimal dosage, treatment duration, side effects, and long-term impact before making treatment recommendations.

Article Abstract

The emerging COVID-19 pandemic poses a threat to the global health care system. Given the lack of antiviral therapies or vaccines for the disease, the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) obtained much attention as a treatment for COVID-19. However, there are limited and uncertain clinical data to support the beneficial effect of this drug in COVID-19 treatment. HCQ has several side effects and warnings, including blindness, heart failure, and renal toxicity, even with recommended doses. For severe cases of COVID-19 or in patients with preexisting conditions, administering such a drug could be fatal, particularly when taken at high doses or in combination with other antibiotics. However, further well-designed studies that would address the optimal dose, duration of treatment, possible side effects, and long-term usage outcomes are needed to make the final decision. In this paper, we aim to discuss the risk of using HCQ in treating COVID-19 patients, including its possible side effects.

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Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7504983PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.3233/JRS-200024DOI Listing

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