I’m a member of a forum that’s been talking about chloroquine phosphate as an alternative treatment for at least a couple of weeks now. The general consensus is

I’m a member of a forum that’s been talking about chloroquine phosphate as an alternative treatment for at least a couple of weeks now. The general consensus is that the side effects make it absolutely a “last resort” sort of thing. If chloroquine phosphate were the only thing available and my elderly relatives were in respiratory distress as a result of COVID-19, I might consider recommending it. On the low range of the therapeutic dose, under medical supervision, because even in a healthy person you’re going to see rapid dehydration as a result of the vomiting and diarrhea that will absolutely follow taking it. Another thing I’d point out - it seems very unlikely to me that someone sought out and obtained chloroquine phosphate in the short time since Trump started tweeting about it. It’s been sold out even online for at least a week. I know a couple of places to buy it, but have no desire to make that bet.