WNY/IL Covid-19 Workgroup Statement on Hydroxychloroquine: November 16, 2020

Released: 11/19/2020 11:28:59 AM

The Working Group recommends AGAINST using hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine for the prophylaxis or treatment of COVID-19 in either the inpatient or outpatient setting.

At the time of this writing, there is poor-quality and insufficient evidence in the literature to support the use of hydroxychloroquine to prevent or treat COVID-19 in either the inpatient or the outpatient setting. At the same time, there is a risk of harm. On June 15, 2020, the FDA revoked its emergency use authorization for these medications due to potential for harms and lack of evidence of benefit.

References:

• Infectious Disease Society of America (2020, September 25). Infectious Disease Society of America Guidelines on the Treatment and Management of Patients with COVID-19. https://www.idsociety.org/COVID19guidelines
• American College of Physicians (2020, September 1). Update Alert 2: Should Clinicians Use Chloroquine or Hydroxychloroquine Alone or in Combination With Azithromycin for the Prophylaxis or Treatment of COVID-19? Living Practice Points From the American College of Physicians. https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.7326/L20-1007

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