Respiratory Diseases

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 under th...