Hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin as Treatments for COVID-19
Open Access
- 19 May 2020
- journal article
- letter
- Published by Galenos Yayinevi in Gazi Medical Journal
- Vol. 31 (2A), 337-338
- https://doi.org/10.12996/gmj.2020.82
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak that originated in late 2019 and continues to spread as of 2020 is taking a severe toll on human health and has been acknowledged as a worldwide pandemic. There have been no readily available vaccines or drugs that have been approved to combat the disease (COVID-19) as of yet. Chloroquine (CQ), a drug well-known for its effectiveness in treating malarial and autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus erythematosus, has exhibited a promising inhibitory effect for SARS-CoV-2. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), a more tolerable derivative of CQ, has also been shown to display potent activity against SARS-CoV-2. Macrolides (MACs) such as erythromycin, clarithromycin, and azithromycin (AZM) not only have the potential for anti-bacterial activity but also have immunomodulatory effects. Lately, the anti-viral effects of MACs have attracted considerable attention. Very recently, HCQ in combination with AZM treatment was reported to be effective for mild form of COVID-19. Because mild form of COVID-19 may take a turn for the worse, resulting in acute respiratory distress syndrome, or mild COVID-19 patients may infect surrounding people with COVID-19, patients should be treated with HCQ in combination with AZM.This publication has 7 references indexed in Scilit:
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