You hear about chloroquine, prescribed in some cases of coronavirus, without understanding if you should be wary of it? Do you usually take anti-inflammatory medication, and are you concerned about increasing your risk of developing a serious form of the infection? Europe 1 takes stock of what we know about treatments developed to fight the epidemic, and others. If the answer to one of your questions is not found in this article, don't hesitate to write us on the Europe 1 Twitter account #RadioOuverte or call us at 3921!
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Are there risks of poisoning with chloroquine?
"As of today, there is no evidence of the effectiveness of this treatment for people who have a simple, minor infection, followed on an outpatient basis," said Bruno Megarbane, a resuscitator. If you are, the wrong dosage or overdose could even cause heart complications, according to the specialist. In the United States, one or two deaths following the use of chloroquine are to be deplored. Find all the details here.
Can my attending physician prescribe hydroxychloroquine?
Prescribing rules have certainly been slightly expanded by the Ministry of Health, with a decree which says that hydroxychloroquine, a derivative of chloroquine, can be prescribed for hospitalized and oxygen-dependent patients. But concerning less serious cases, the instructions do not change: your doctor should therefore not prescribe them, even less as a preventive measure. Find all the details here.
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I took chloroquine for something else, am I less likely to get coronavirus?
Chinese studies and Professor Raoult's publications, favorable to the use of chloroquine against Covid-19, suggest that it would lower the viral load in the event of infection. This does not mean that taking it early reduces the risk of getting the virus, if, for example, you took an antimalarial before you went on a trip. When in doubt, the rule remains confinement and respect for barrier gestures. Find all the details here.
Are HIV treatments effective against coronavirus?
There is no evidence at this time that Truvada, a preventive treatment for HIV, can have an effect on the coronavirus. Studies are underway to test the effectiveness of other HIV antivirals, but their results are not yet known. In the meantime, specialists advise people who are HIV positive to continue to follow their treatment. Find all the details here.
Should I continue my chemotherapy protocol?
If you have cancer, is it reasonable to travel for chemotherapy while your immune system is weakened? The decision must in all cases be taken by your oncologist, on a case-by-case basis. He alone can arbitrate between the need to continue your treatment and the risk involved. Find all the details here.
I am allergic, should I continue to take my treatment?
Pollen season is here, and no, the coronavirus should not change your habits if you are taking antihistamine therapy. First, because in the absence of it, you could develop symptoms similar to those of the coronavirus, and be diagnosed incorrectly. And secondly, because if you are allergic, in particular asthmatic, it is possible that you present a more risk profile vis-a-vis the coronavirus. No question, therefore, of making yourself more fragile by giving up your treatment. Find all the details here.
Is it dangerous to take Ventolin?
Absolutely not. There is no contraindication to taking Ventolin during this epidemic period, if you have asthma, of course. On the contrary: an asthma attack, if you suffer from a simple form of the infection, should be treated normally. Otherwise, it can lead to respiratory complications and lead you to the emergency room. Find all the information here.
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Can I take ibuprofen for migraine?
Anti-inflammatory drugs are believed to have played a role in worsening the coronavirus, especially in young people. However, taking ibuprofen is not contraindicated as such: if you have no symptoms of Covid-19 (fever, cough, body aches ...), it is possible to take it with caution and provided that the use is not repeated. Find all the details here.
Could a blood transfusion be used as a treatment?
Transfuse blood from people who have been sick, have healed and therefore developed antibodies against the coronavirus, to other patients with the infection? It is a track that has been used successfully to treat the H5N1 virus, another respiratory condition. The hypothesis is therefore explored against the Covid-19. Find all the details here.