Coronavirus: All you need to know about Hydroxychloroquine and Covid-19 treatment
At a time when many politicians and doctors are debating whether the anti-malaria drug should be used for Covid-19 treatment, here are key facts about the drug.
Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine are synthetic variations of quinine, an herbal remedy derived from the bark of the cinchona tree. Hydroxychloroquine, the later variant, is the less toxic of the two, and the one that more US hospitals are using to treat patients, but both are being tried in other parts of the world.
Hydroxychloroquine can help tame an overactive immune system. It’s been used since the 1940s to prevent and treat malaria, and to treat rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
Some politicians and doctors are sparring over whether to use Hydroxychloroquine against the new coronavirus, with many scientists saying the evidence is too thin to recommend it now.
HOW IS IT BEING USED?
The drug can help tame an overactive immune system. It’s been used since the 1940s to prevent and treat malaria, and to treat rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. It’s sold in generic form and under the brand name Plaquenil in the United States. Doctors also can prescribe it off label for other purposes, as many are doing now for COVID-19.
WHAT’S THE EVIDENCE?
Some small and very preliminary studies give conflicting results. One lab study suggested it curbed the virus’ ability to enter cells. Another report on 11 people found it did not improve how fast patients cleared the virus or their symptoms.
A report from China claimed the drug helped more than 100 patients at 10 hospitals, but they had various degrees of illness and were treated with various doses for different lengths of time, and might have recovered without the drug there was no group that didn’t get the drug for comparison.
Other researchers in China reported that cough, pneumonia and fever seemed to improve sooner among 31 patients given Hydroxychloroquine compared to 31 others who did not get the drug, although fewer people in the comparison group had cough or fevers to start with.
Four people developed severe illness and all were in the group that did not get the drug. These results were posted online and have not been reviewed by other scientists or published in a journal.
Finally, the small study from France that President Donald Trump touted as evidence of the drug’s benefit is now in question. The head of the journal that published it has put out an "expression of concern" about its methods.
Larger, more rigorous studies are underway now.
WHAT’S THE RISK?
The drug can cause heart rhythm problems, severely low blood pressure and muscle or nerve damage. Taking it outside of a scientific experiment adds the risk of not having tracking in place to watch for any of these side effects or problems and quickly address them if they do occur.
Hydroxychloroquine side effects
Hydroxychloroquine oral tablet doesn’t cause drowsiness, but it can cause other side effects.
More common side effects
The more common side effects that can occur with hydroxychloroquine include:
headache
dizziness
diarrhea
stomach cramps
vomiting
dizziness
diarrhea
stomach cramps
vomiting
Mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if they’re more severe or don’t go away.
Serious side effects
Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects.your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:
blurred vision or other vision changes, which may be permanent in some cases
heart disease, including heart failure and issues with your heart rhythm; some cases have been fatal
ringing in your ears or hearing loss
angioedema (rapid swelling of your skin)
hives
mild or severe bronchospasm
sore throat
severe hypoglycemia
unusual bleeding or bruising
blue-black skin color
muscle weakness
hair loss or changes in hair color
abnormal mood changes
mental health effects, including suicidal thoughts
Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare provider who knows your medical history.
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