The Rise and Fall of Hydroxychloroquine and Chloroquine in COVID-19

J Pharm Pract. 2022 Dec;35(6):971-978. doi: 10.1177/0897190021997399. Epub 2021 Apr 28.

Abstract

On March 11th, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced the unprecedented outbreak of "severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2" (SARS-CoV-2) to be a pandemic. Thus far, COVID-19 has infected over 58,229,138 individuals and caused 1,382,106 deaths worldwide. This has led to the re-purposing of available drugs under "off-label" use-drugs such as hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine. Both drugs have since been evaluated for their ability to treat COVID-19. Here, we summarize recent evidence regarding the use of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. All data is current as of November 23, 2020.

Keywords: SARS-Cov-2; chloroquine; coronavirus; covid-19; hydroxychloroquine.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / adverse effects
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment*
  • Chloroquine / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Hydroxychloroquine* / adverse effects
  • SARS-CoV-2

Substances

  • Hydroxychloroquine
  • Chloroquine
  • Antiviral Agents