US FDA Safety Alert For Hydroxychloroquine Is Latest Turn In Drug's Strange Journey

As potentially life-threatening heart problems emerge in coronavirus patients, FDA says hydroxychloroquine should be taken only in clinical trial or hospital settings under the Emergency Use Authorization.

Hydroxychloroquine tablet medication for treatment Malaria, and potential new drug cure for COVID 19 Corona virus closeup. Therapy for Koronavirus. Pharmaceuticals on wooden table
The US FDA said the EUA allowing hydroxychloroquine use for coronavirus was based on limited evidence, which is why only hospitalized patients should receive it. • Source: Shutterstock

Clinical, and political, aspirations about the potential of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine to become a widespread treatment for COVID-19 continue to decline with the US Food and Drug Administration recommending only limited use of the products.

FDA officials issued a safety announcement on 24 April stating that hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine, either alone or in combination with azithromycin, (Pfizer Inc

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