Hydroxychloroquine can do more harm than good, warns AIIMS Chief

Hydroxychloroquine or HCQ is a much sought-after medicine after preliminary trials in China suggested it boosted recovery and lowered the severity of infection while AIIMS Director, Dr Randeep Guleria has cautioned that Hydroxychloroquine can be harmful for general public

AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria  has cautioned that Hydroxychloroquine is not a treatment for everyone

Hydroxychloroquine is not a magic bullet for Covid-19

Dr. Randeep Guleria, Director AIIMs has said, Hydroxychloroquine can be harmful for the general public

Hydroxychloroquine or HCQ, anti-malarial drug, has emerged as a much sought-after medicine

Trials in China suggested it boosted recovery and lowered the severity of coronavirus disease.

“Hydroxychloroquine is not a treatment for everyone. It can have cardiac toxicity leading to irregular heartbeat."

"Like any other drug, this also has side effects...

... It can do more harm than good for the general public,” Dr Guleria warned

He said the data is not strong enough to support that HCQ is a cure for Covid-19

He said, since no other treatment is available, it was felt that the drug should be used.

Some lab data show that hydroxychloroquine may have some effects in Covid-19.

Experts at ICMR felt that it may be helpful in close contacts of Covid-19 patients

Studies say that combination of HCQ and Azithromycin may be helpful in Covid-19 treatment

It has shown results when given to Covid-19 patients with moderate to severe illness.

Since, no other treatment is available, it was felt that it should be used,” Dr Guleria said

ICMR said that it won’t recommend HCQ for Covid-19 patients unless satisfactory results are seen during tests.

ICMR said hydroxychloroquine is recommended only to those asymptomatic healthcare workers...

...involved in the care of suspected or confirmed cases of Covid-19 and asymptomatic contacts of confirmed cases.

India produces nearly 70 per cent of the world’s supply of HCQ.

India recently agreed to export the medicine to the US following a request by President Donald Trump