usage of hydroxychloroquine in early stage of COVID.19 will give good results , because it inhibit release of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-alpha and then prevent formation of cytokines storm which lead to circulatory and respiratory symptoms. If chloroquine prescribed to COVID-19 patients suffer from respiratory defects , it will complicate patient condition and work synergistically with COVID-19 to reach cardiac arrest which is one of the side effect of this drug enhanced by thrombi and pulmonary emboli resulted from COVID.19.
So usage of hydroxy chloroquine should not prescribed for treatment of COVID-19 , due to the high risk of cardiac arrest.
No benefit but increased mortality with use of Chloroquine or Hydoxychloroquine
Since US President Trump recommended Chloroquine or its less toxic derivative hydroxychloroquine as a game changer in the treatment of COVID-19, people stated taking it with even deaths.
However, despite its in vitro effects on SARS-Cov-2, and early studies showing benefits, all recent studies have shown no benefit, or more deaths particularly when used in combination with Azithromycin and Oseltamivir, because all these drugs caused increased risk of fatal ventricular arrhythmias due to prolonged QT syndrome (1-4).
1. Article Observational Study of Hydroxychloroquine in Hospitalized Pa...
2. Association of Treatment With Hydroxychloroquine or Azithromycin With In-Hospital Mortality in Patients With COVID-19 in New York Stathttps://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2766117
3. file:///C:/Users/Dr.%20Muhammad%20Yousuf/Downloads/borba_2020_oi_200372.pdf 4. Article Risk of QT Interval Prolongation Associated With Use of Hydr...
The Lancet just published a study looking at over 96 000 patients: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)31180-6/fulltext
In a new study, entitled
Hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine with or without a macrolide for treatment of COVID-19: a multinational registry analysis
They indicated the following:
We were unable to confirm a benefit of hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine, when used alone or with a macrolide, on in-hospital results for COVID-19. Each of these drug regimens was associated with decreased in-hospital survival and an increased frequency of ventricular arrhythmias when used for treatment of COVID-19.
See the link below:
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)31180-6/fulltext
Mosab Nouraldein Mohammed Hamad
It has benefit, but depend of timing of adminstration , genetics, age and chronic diseases, physiological conditions. When you but those in your mind you will see its benefits.