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The side effects were a headache and a rash, neither one serious. The worrisome side effects of HCQ are also given in the paper: "Retinopathy is one of the

The side effects were a headache and a rash, neither one serious. The worrisome side effects of HCQ are also given in the paper: "Retinopathy is one of the major adverse reactions of long-term therapy with HCQ. Besides, patients with rheumatoid diseases treated with HCQ occasionally experience arrhythmias." Luckily, long-term use of the drug isn't necessary here because the immune system successfully responds with antibodies to fight of the virus, so retinopathy isn't an issue. Also, as the paper states, "Fortunately, deciding on individual treatment plans scientifically, monitoring adverse reactions timely, to avoid overdose, short-term application of HCQ is relatively safe."

marcosdumay 7y ago
So, evidence is pointing that we have a drug that drastically reduces hospitalization time for the milder cases, can save some 5-10% of the grave cases and is perfectly safe as long as there is a doctor looking at the patients. That is really looking like a large win. This is one of the drugs on the large study WHO is running worldwide, and is getting a lot of attention. I'm sure we'll have strong evidence either way soon.
- James_Henry 7y ago
  I don't know that this study is talking about reduced hospitalization times. In fact, mild cases don't end up in the hospital. However, it could be that mild cases end up turning into severe cases that need hospitalization less frequently if this treatment is used. Since hospitalization is only needed in some 20% of cases, it would probably take a larger study to meaningfully determine those effects. Of course, (and even though this probably isn't the case) if all this treatment does is make the mild and moderate cases (those without and with pneumonia and not needing supplemental oxygen) end faster, we can get to herd immunity that much quicker. And yes, people are using this drug and are going to be using this drug at an increasing rate, so we'll have plenty of evidence soon.

marcosdumay 7y ago

So, evidence is pointing that we have a drug that drastically reduces hospitalization time for the milder cases, can save some 5-10% of the grave cases and is perfectly safe as long as there is a doctor looking at the patients. That is really looking like a large win. This is one of the drugs on the large study WHO is running worldwide, and is getting a lot of attention. I'm sure we'll have strong evidence either way soon.

James_Henry 7y ago
I don't know that this study is talking about reduced hospitalization times. In fact, mild cases don't end up in the hospital. However, it could be that mild cases end up turning into severe cases that need hospitalization less frequently if this treatment is used. Since hospitalization is only needed in some 20% of cases, it would probably take a larger study to meaningfully determine those effects. Of course, (and even though this probably isn't the case) if all this treatment does is make the mild and moderate cases (those without and with pneumonia and not needing supplemental oxygen) end faster, we can get to herd immunity that much quicker. And yes, people are using this drug and are going to be using this drug at an increasing rate, so we'll have plenty of evidence soon.