Donald Trump has repeatedly called for the use of hydroxychloroquine to prevent coronavirus infection. US President Donald Trump announced at a White House briefing that he recently began taking hydroxychloroquine – which experts warn may be unsafe – to prevent coronavirus infection.
Chloroquine and its derivative, hydroxychloroquine, are commonly used to treat malaria and lupus. “I’ve been accepting his example for about a week and a half, and I’m still here, I’m still here,” Trump said. There is no evidence that hydroxychloroquine can prevent coronavirus infection, although clinical trials are being conducted in the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, and China.
When asked about proof of the drug’s effectiveness, Trump said: “Here’s my evidence, I got a lot of positive reviews on it.” President Trump has repeatedly called for the use of hydroxychloroquine, stating that it is taken by medical professionals working with Covid-19 patients. “You would be surprised how many people accept it, especially those working on the front lines of the epidemic – many accept it,” he told journalists.
In April, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an advisory stating that there is no evidence to support the safety and effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine for coronavirus.
The agency also noted data suggesting that the drug may cause serious heart rhythm problems in Covid-19 patients. The FDA has recommended that this drug not be used outside of hospitals – its use is allowed as a temporary measure for the treatment of Covid-19 in limited cases.