3 ms·

> It may be useful in combo with other drugs Weren't the first studies done in combination with azithromycin (which is bizzare, as that's an antibiotic)?

red-indian 7y ago
The azithromycin was given to some of the patients with viral pneumonia as there is a chance of reinfection with bacterial pneumonia. Astonishing and unexpectedly, the covid19 virus was completely wiped out in all the HCQ+azithromycin patients but only in a bit over half the HCQ alone patients. So just as an antiparasite drug surprisingly once was found to also work as an antiviral, azithromycin has unexpectedly been found to have some sort of a complementary amplifying or catalyzing effect with the hydrochloroquine. Of unknown mechanism and no doubt this will be explored in great detail in future research. For now it's known that putting the two together looks to be a good thing to do.
- paulmd 7y ago
  the problem is quite simple: the virus infects your body, damages your lungs, and fucks up your immune system. Then you get an opportunistic pneumonia The mechanism is also quite simple: administer them both together and the antimalarials kill the virus, the antibiotics kill the pneumonia.
  - romski 7y ago
    you're not really an md, are you?
    - paulmd 7y ago
      No. Now let's have a look at that bwain of yours.
- aaavl2821 7y ago
  It may be early to conclude that azithromycin has a complementary mechanism with HCQ, the study was too small and there are too many confounding factors. It is possible there is some synergy but also possible that there is not
gumby 7y ago
Azithromycin has been shown to have some antiviral effect though it has not been characterized and the mechanism of action is unknown. I assume they chose that as a broad spectrum prophylaxis for and opportunistic concurrent infection but perhaps they chose it specifically for this reason.

red-indian 7y ago

The azithromycin was given to some of the patients with viral pneumonia as there is a chance of reinfection with bacterial pneumonia. Astonishing and unexpectedly, the covid19 virus was completely wiped out in all the HCQ+azithromycin patients but only in a bit over half the HCQ alone patients. So just as an antiparasite drug surprisingly once was found to also work as an antiviral, azithromycin has unexpectedly been found to have some sort of a complementary amplifying or catalyzing effect with the hydrochloroquine. Of unknown mechanism and no doubt this will be explored in great detail in future research. For now it's known that putting the two together looks to be a good thing to do.

paulmd 7y ago
the problem is quite simple: the virus infects your body, damages your lungs, and fucks up your immune system. Then you get an opportunistic pneumonia The mechanism is also quite simple: administer them both together and the antimalarials kill the virus, the antibiotics kill the pneumonia.
- romski 7y ago
  you're not really an md, are you?
  - paulmd 7y ago
    No. Now let's have a look at that bwain of yours.
aaavl2821 7y ago
It may be early to conclude that azithromycin has a complementary mechanism with HCQ, the study was too small and there are too many confounding factors. It is possible there is some synergy but also possible that there is not

gumby 7y ago

Azithromycin has been shown to have some antiviral effect though it has not been characterized and the mechanism of action is unknown. I assume they chose that as a broad spectrum prophylaxis for and opportunistic concurrent infection but perhaps they chose it specifically for this reason.