Lack of efficacy of hydroxychloroquine in covid-19

ABSTRACT

Studies in mild-to-moderate cases as well as severe disease leave us still searching for a magic pill Some have trumpeted the 4-aminoquinoline antimalarial drugs, chloroquine and hydroxychloroquinine, for the treatment of covid-19, based on the (literally) incredible results of efficacy in reported uncontrolled trials.12 Two linked studies,34 however, add to an increasing body of evidence that these drugs lack virological or clinical efficacy in the treatment of covid-19,5 and might even be harmful.67 Because 4-aminoquinolines block endosomal acidification, this drug class has long been looked at for potential antiviral effect.8 Didier Raoult and colleagues in Marseilles used uncontrolled observations to claim that hydroxychloroquine (whether or not combined with the antibacterial azithromycin) is effective in treating covid-19.12 Further, Raoult has asserted that using placebo controls is unethical in times of plague and pestilence.29 …