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Review
. 2020 Sep;9(3):561-572.
doi: 10.1007/s40121-020-00325-2. Epub 2020 Aug 1.

The Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Properties of Hydroxychloroquine and Dose Selection for COVID-19: Putting the Cart Before the Horse

Taylor Morrisette  1 , Thomas P Lodise  2 , Marc H Scheetz  3   4   5   6 , Srijib Goswami  7 , Jason M Pogue  8 , Michael J Rybak  9   10   11
Affiliations
Review

The Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Properties of Hydroxychloroquine and Dose Selection for COVID-19: Putting the Cart Before the Horse

Taylor Morrisette et al. Infect Dis Ther. 2020 Sep.

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the 2019 novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is currently responsible for a global pandemic. To date, only remdesivir and dexamethasone have demonstrated a positive response in a prospective, randomized trial for the treatment of patients with COVID-19. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is an agent available in an oral formulation with in vitro activity against SARS-CoV-2 that has been suggested as a potential agent. Unfortunately, results of randomized trials evaluating HCQ as treatment against a control group are lacking, and little is known about its pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) profile against SARS-CoV-2. The objective of this review was to describe the current understanding of the PK/PD and dose selection of HCQ against SARS-CoV-2, discuss knowledge gaps, and identify future studies that are needed to optimize the efficacy and safety of treatments against COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19; Hydroxychloroquine; Pharmacodynamics; Pharmacokinetics.

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