Hydroxychloroquine Not Safe to Treat COVID-19: FDA

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned against taking anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine, touted by President Donald Trump as a possible treatment for COVID-19, outside of a hospital or formal study on Friday, citing "serious and potentially life-threatening heart rhythm problems".

The drugs have been approved for purchase and addition to the Strategic National Stockpile and may be prescribed by doctors for the treatment of COVID-19 when clinical trials are not available or feasible. 

But the medicines "have not been proven safe or effective for treating COVID-19", the FDA said in its release. 

No conclusive tests have been completed to prove its effectiveness.

"We understand that healthcare professionals are looking for every possible treatment option for their patients and we want to ensure we're providing them with the appropriate information needed for them to make the best medical decisions,'' FDA Commissioner Dr Stephen M Hahn said in the statement.

"While clinical trials are ongoing to determine the safety and effectiveness of these drugs for COVID-19, there are known side effects of these medications that should be considered."

"We encourage health care professionals making individual patient decisions closely screen and monitor those patients to help mitigate these risks," Hahn said. 

"The FDA will continue to monitor and investigate these potential risks and will communicate publicly when more information is available."

Source: AL Jazeera