Use of chlorochine and hydroxychlorocchine in the treatment of COVID-19 risks and benefits according to an integrative review

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Responsible for the disease COVID-19, the new coronavirus, called SARS-CoV-2, was discovered in China. Its rapid spread caused astonishment and concern in the population, and it ended up causing one of the largest pandemics ever recorded in history. Some professionals suggest using Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine, medicines that have been used to fight various diseases for more than 70 years, to treat this infection. Their effectiveness in controlling COVID-19 has not been confirmed, though. Objectives: This study aims to collect information in the scientific literature on the risks and benefits of the drugs Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine used as drug therapy for patients affected by the disease. Method: An integrative literature review was carried out, on three online databases (LILACS, SCIELO, and PUBMED) to describe the effects of Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine when used in the treatment of the disease, allowing the critical evaluation of certain knowledge on the subject, and gathering multiple studies and their main outcomes.