More hype than real benefit of Chloroquine or Hydroxychloroquine with or without Azithromycin for COVID-19
Most of the initial studies that prompted a role for Chloroquine or Hydroxychloroquine (a less toxic derivative of Chloroquine) for COVID-19 were in vitro or small studies. Probably this information prompted US President Trump to promote them as game changers.
However, all the recent studies showed not only that these medications either alone or in combination with Azithromycin are having no benefit but increased risk of death due to arrhythmias induced by prolonged QT interval in vulnerable old patients who often have many comorbidities (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 State