COVID-19- Hydroxychloroquine

COVID-19- Hydroxychloroquine: can an anti-malaria drug cure coronavirus

3 years ago

The lack of treatment and vaccines for COVID-19 has put the whole planet under distress. Leaders around the world are desperate to find medicine to cure novel coronavirus. From the past few weeks, the name of an anti-malaria drug ‘Hydroxychloroquine’ has been in the highlight due to its possibility of treating novel coronavirus. World leaders such as the president of US Donald trump have asked India to export supply of hydroxychloroquine as India is the largest manufacturer of this medicine.

Here is all you need to know about hydroxychloroquine.

What is Hydroxychloroquine?

Hydroxychloroquine is a drug, invented during World War II and used since 1940 to treat malaria, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. The drug can help control a hyperactive immune system. Researchers are also studying hydroxychloroquine as an experimental treatment for COVID-19.

Is Hydroxycholorquine a cure for COVID-19?

There is no evidence so far that Hydroxychloroquine is a treatment of COVID-19. Countries such as the US, Spain, Australia, and the UK have already begun clinical trials for this. A study from china says that the drug helped more than 100 patients at 10 hospitals, but they had varying degrees of illness and were treated with various doses. The study from France involved that a combination of hydroxychloroquine with the antibiotic azithromycin is beneficial. Despite the rigorous evidence the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given Emergency use authorization to two anti-malaria drugs chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine to treat patients infected by the coronavirus.

Who are the Manufactures of hydroxychloroquine in India

India is the largest supplier of Hydroxychloroquine. Ipca laboratories located in Mumbai is the largest manufacturer in the country. Ipca holds more than 80 percent of the Indian domestic hydroxychloroquine market. Other manufacturers are Intas, McW Healthcare, Macleods, Wallace Pharmaceuticals, and Cipla.

Side effects of Hydroxychloroquine

Hydroxychloroquine has some side effects on the patient. The drug may increase the risk of irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, muscle weakness, and blurry vision. Medical experts around the world have warned against the use of hydroxychloroquine as a treatment without proper clinical studies, particularly for those patients who have other chronic medical problems and are already on multiple medications

Does India use it to treat COVID-19 patients?

India does not use Hydroxycholorquine to treat coronavirus. The ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) has allowed the use of hydroxychloroquine as a preventive treatment for high-risk people, such as health workers in COVID-19 care and people with direct contacts with COVID-19 positive patients. ICMR has also allowed the use of hydroxychloroquine with Azithromycin in severely ill COVID-19 patients. This is however under strict medical supervision.

Currently, scientists and researchers are testing rigorously on the usage of anti-malarial Hydroxycholorquine against coronavirus. The scientific inquiry takes time as the COVID 19 virus is only known for four months.

 Disclaimer:  This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. Jugaadin.com does not claim responsibility for this information.

Shruti Jain

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