The National Institute of Health guidelines recommend against the use of chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine for the treatment of coronavirus (COVID)-19, except in the setting of a clinical trial. No agent given before or after an exposure to COVID-19 is known to be effective in preventing the infection. Agents for pre or post-exposure prophylaxis are only advised in the setting of a clinical trial.[1]
The Food and Drug Administration has not approved any drugs for the treatment of COVID-19, and has revoked the emergency use authorization of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine. [2]
Current clinical management includes infection prevention and control measures and supportive care, including supplemental oxygen and mechanical ventilatory support when indicated. [3]
Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) guidelines recommend that hydroxychloroquine be used in COVID-19 patients only in the context of a clinical trial. [4]
Hydroxychloroquine is recommended to be used for COVID-19 in the context of a carefully constructed randomized clinical trial, with a strong focus on the costs and benefits involved. [5]
A meta-analyses of 26 studies looked at clinical or observational trials exploring the effects of hydroxychloroquine treatment for COVID-19 patients. The meta-analyses demonstrated that there was no clinical benefit seen with hydroxychloroquine with or without azithromycin for COVID-19 patients. [6]