Antimalarial Drugs and Covid
The outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in late 2019 revolutionized routine life due to its fast transmission leading to acute respiratory syndrome. The emerging virus has caused a global pandemic with high mortality rates worldwide. The disease's manifestation is mainly caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus infecting the immune system of infected individuals. Medical researchers have been exploring various existing drugs and vaccines to manage and eventually alleviate the pandemic's adverse effects. One of the drugs identified to have the potential of treating COVID-19 is antimalarial drugs, such as chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine. Antimalarial drugs have been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for malaria treatment and prevention, and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. The drugs work by inhibiting viral replication by inhibiting the virus's entry into host cells. Studies have shown that these drugs exhibit antiviral effects in treating COVID-19, although research findings have been mixed. For instance, a recent clinical trial conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) demonstrated that there was no improved clinical outcome in patients treated with hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine, while other studies have shown promising results in reducing viral loads in critically ill patients. In conclusion, antimalarial drugs like chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine may provide useful treatment options in combating COVID-19. While there are notable benefits of using antimalarial drugs, there are also risks associated with administering these drugs to critically ill patients that require medical assessment and monitoring. Although antimalarial drugs need further research, their therapeutic potential is still essential in providing suitable medical interventions towards building a healthy world.
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