System for administering and monitoring hydroxychloroquine prophylaxis for COVID-19 in accordance with a national advisory: preliminary experience of a tertiary care institute in India.
Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther
; 19(10): 1331-1339, 2021 Oct.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1157981
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) was one of the earliest drugs to be recommended for tackling the COVID-19 threat leading to its widespread usage. We provide preliminary findings of the system, established in a tertiary care academic center for the administration of HCQ prophylaxis to healthcare workers (HCW) based on Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) advisory.METHODS:
A dedicated clinical pharmacology and internal medicine team screened for contraindications, administered informed consent, maintained compliance and monitored for adverse events.RESULTS:
Among the 194 HCWs screened for ruling out contraindications for prophylaxis, 9 were excluded and 185 were initiated on HCQ. A total of 55 adverse events were seen in 38 (20.5%) HCWs out of which 70.9%, 29.1% were mild and moderate & none were severe. Before the completion of therapy, a total of 23 participants discontinued. Change in QTc interval on day 2 was 5 (IQR -3.75, 11) ms and the end of week 1 was 15 ms (IQR 2, 18). Out of the 5 HCW who turned positive for COVID-19, 2 were on HCQ.CONCLUSION:
HCQ prophylaxis was found to be safe and well tolerated in HCW when administered after appropriate screening and with monitoring for adverse events.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Mass Drug Administration
/
COVID-19
/
Hydroxychloroquine
/
Antimalarials
Type of study:
Prognostic study
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Young adult
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
English
Journal:
Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther
Journal subject:
Communicable Diseases
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
14787210.2021.1909476
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