To date, there is no compelling evidence that hydroxychloroquine or similar drugs can prevent coronavirus infection, although clinical trials are underway in several countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, and China. From the editorial board of the BBC Russian Service: 10 days after the publication of this article, the prestigious medical journal Lancet, on which this material was based, refuted its previous conclusions. It turned out that the data on which the Lancet publication was based were provided by an unknown small company called Surgispherе and are likely to be incorrect. The Guardian’s own investigation found that Surgisphere employs only a few dozen people, including a science fiction writer and an adult film actress. The quality of the research has raised doubts among journalists. The World Health Organization (WHO), which suspended the hydroxychloroquine trials after the Lancet publication, has announced that it is ready to resume them. Dozens of other trials will also resume. The BBC Russian Service continues to monitor the situation.
On May 25, the World Health Organization suspended clinical trials of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine as potential treatments for Covid-19 due to safety concerns. A recent study has shown that the use of hydroxychloroquine is not only ineffective, but may increase the likelihood of patient mortality. Analyzing data from 96 thousand patients from 671 hospitals around the world, scientists have concluded that chloroquine and its derivative, hydroxychloroquine, are potentially dangerous because they can cause complications in the cardiovascular system. The likelihood of developing cardiac arrhythmias in patients taking the antimalarial drug was significantly increased.
Some time ago, US President Donald Trump announced that he was taking hydroxychloroquine as a preventative measure to avoid infection, despite the World Health Organization’s statements that there is no compelling evidence that the drug is effective in fighting the coronavirus. On Sunday, Trump announced that he had completed a two-week course of medication and was no longer taking drugs. “And by the way, I’m still here,” Trump said in an interview with Sinclair Broadcasting. The use of drugs to treat the coronavirus was also praised by Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. The World Health Organization has previously warned against the use of the drug except in clinical trials, and has now temporarily suspended them until the executive group responsible for drug safety reviews all currently available materials. At the same time, WHO adds that chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine are still safe for the treatment of malaria and certain autoimmune diseases.
Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic last year, nearly 345,000 people have died and nearly 5.5 million people have been infected. Scientists around the world are trying to find a way to treat Covid-19 or develop a vaccine that would ease quarantine measures, including social distancing. The WHO warns that the pandemic has not receded and that countries should still be wary of rising cases. “Everyone should be on alert. The virus will come back at the first opportunity,” said WHO epidemiologist Maria Van Kerkhove.
Chloroquine and its derivatives are commonly prescribed for the treatment of malaria. We explain quickly, simply, and clearly what happened, why it matters, and what will happen next. The number of episodes should remain the same. The end of the story: Promotional Podcasts
Hydroxychloroquine is a later and less toxic version of the drug chloroquine and has more pronounced antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects. Chloroquine is commonly used to treat malaria, certain protozoal infections, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus erythematosus. Both of these drugs are cardiotoxic and can cause arrhythmias and tachycardia, especially in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular disease, as previously warned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in connection with the use of these two drugs for the treatment of Covid-19 in outpatient settings or during clinical trials.
The study, published last week in The Lancet, found that using the drug alone or in combination with antibiotics may increase the risk of death from coronavirus. Scientists analyzed the data and treatment methods of 96,000 patients with coronavirus from 671 hospitals around the world and compared the patient data in three groups. The first group consisted of patients treated with one of the antimalarial drugs, the second group consisted of patients treated with an antimalarial drug in combination with an antibiotic. The third group, the control group, consisted of patients who did not receive any medication. The doctors concluded that the risk of death was higher in the patients who took the drugs. The mortality rate in the control group was 9.3%, and the mortality rate in the drug groups ranged from 16% to 23.8% (18% in the group taking hydroxychloroquine, 16.4% in the group taking chloroquine, 22.2% and 23.8% in the groups taking both drugs and antibiotics). The probability of developing cardiac arrhythmia was significantly increased in those taking antimalarial drugs. Experts have previously warned against self-prescribing and uncontrolled use of antimalarial drugs, but the latest study provides the most comprehensive review of their side effects to date.
