What are the harmful effects of corona treatment with chloroquine? .. Some people use it randomly

Dr. Osama Abu Al-Rub

After talking about positive results of chloroquine - a drug known to malaria - in treating patients with the new coronavirus (Covid-19), there were reports that some people bought and took this drug without medical supervision, so what are the risks?

A Chinese study published in mid-February showed that a clinical trial on chloroquine conducted in ten hospitals yielded promising results with tests involving more than 100 patients.

Several experiments are underway, particularly in the United States and France, to confirm or deny these hypotheses and to investigate possible side effects of the use of chloroquine in treating people with Covid-19 epidemic.

Chloroquine belongs to a class of drugs called antimalarials and amoebicides, used to prevent and treat malaria, and is also used to treat amebiasis.

It may also be prescribed to reduce symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, treatment of lupus, and some diseases.

There are side effects that may be caused by chloroquine, such as:

1- Headache

2- Loss of appetite

3- Diarrhea

4- Upset stomach

5- Colic

6- Skin rash or itching

7- Hair loss

8- Mood changes

9- Mental changes

Chloroquine may also lead to serious effects that require immediate contact with a doctor:

1- See flashes of light

2- Lack of clarity of vision

3- Reading difficulties as a result of the disappearance of words, for example

4- Blurry vision

5- Difficulty hearing

6- Ringing in the ears

7- Muscle weakness

8- Drowsiness

9- Vomiting

10- Irregular heartbeat

11- Convulsions

12- Difficulty breathing

For its part, the Egyptian Medicines Authority warned against the wrong use of the "hydroxychloroquine" compound in treating the Corona virus.

The authority stated in a statement yesterday, Sunday, that "in the context of its concern for the health and safety of citizens, and in the light of continuous follow-up and coordination with international bodies and authorities concerned with pharmaceuticals and public health, and regarding news circulating about the use of medicines containing (hydroxychloroquine) in the treatment of the new Corona virus, The Authority’s Pharmacy Vigilance Center notes the dangerous use of these preparations without medical guidance and supervision.

She explained that the preparations containing the hydroxychloroquine compound are registered in Egypt and abroad, and it is currently authorized to treat malaria, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, adding that according to the publications approved by the global health authorities and bodies of the hydroxychloroquine preparation, this compound has many adverse effects, including the effect Passive cardiomyopathy and retinal damage.

She added that "the hydroxychloroquine compound has many interactions with other drugs, including sugar and some heart drugs, so these compounds should not be used without medical guidance and supervision to ensure the safe use of the preparation and avoid any risks or adverse effects."

The authority stressed that the products containing the hydroxychloroquine compound should not be used except after approval of its use through a specific treatment protocol and hospitals specializing in the treatment of corona patients and under medical guidance and supervision, and the need to follow the instructions of the Ministry of Health and Population regarding sterilization and prevention of coronavirus infection.

The statement emphasized that the Egyptian Medicines Authority is following up with all the scientific departments and health regulatory bodies in this regard, and that, according to the information available so far, the studies that have been conducted on these preparations were made on a small number of patients and need further study.

What is the latest data regarding chloroquine?

French Health Minister Olivier Ferrand announced on Sunday that the ongoing tests on chloroquine will show its results within 15 days.

Ferran said in an interview with two local channels that research is underway on the effectiveness of chloroquine, and stated that if the results are positive, the drug will be used to treat people with coronaviruses in France.

He explained that the French government prevented the export of the said drug abroad.

The chloroquine drug used in the treatment of malaria, produced by the French company Sanofi, showed promising results in the treatment of people with corona, and tests are continuing in this regard.

On Saturday, US President Donald Trump called for approval to use chloroquine to counter the new Corona virus.

On his Twitter page, Trump said that the use of "hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin (antibiotic) together has a real opportunity to be one of the biggest game-changing factors in the history of medicine."

He urged the US president to "use them immediately," adding at a later White House conference, "What do we have to lose?"

However, critics have warned that using the drug for a new purpose is not without risks, noting that the amount of dose to be used and possible side effects are among the problems to be tested.

130 million doses
For its part, last Friday, the Swiss Novartis Laboratory expressed its readiness to provide up to 130 million doses of chloroquine by the end of next May after the control authorities gave their approval to use the drug to treat Covid-19 patients.

He said he would seek licenses from the Food and Drug Administration - the US federal food safety and pharmaceutical marketing authority in the United States - while ensuring "widespread access to patients who will be most in need of this drug in the world", especially at the World Health Organization.