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. 2020;31(3):111-116.
doi: 10.3233/JRS-200024.

Risk of using hydroxychloroquine as a treatment of COVID-19

Lo'ai Alanagreh  1 , Foad Alzoughool  1 , Manar Atoum  1
Affiliations

Risk of using hydroxychloroquine as a treatment of COVID-19

Lo'ai Alanagreh et al. Int J Risk Saf Med. 2020.

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.

Keywords: COVID-19; Hydroxychloroquine.

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