Amid the political debate, the US NIH has last week begun the clinical trials of the malarial drug hydroxychloroquine to test its efficacy and safety in patients with COVID-19.
What is hydroxychloroquine?
Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) (aka hydroxychloroquine sulfate), is a drug available in the market to treat a range of disorders including Malaria, and Autoimmune disorders such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Belonging to a class of drugs known as disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), Hydroxychloroquine has the potential to reduce skin problems in lupus and prevent swelling/pain in arthritis.
Available only by prescription, it is sold und...
