Azithromycin, Chloroquine & Hydroxychloroquine

[Lacessit]

I've stocked up on zinc, multivitamins and paracetamol, taking the two former as I write, the latter if fever develops.

IMO taking any other medication without medical oversight would be playing Russian Roulette.

[Aforek]

I took nivaquine ( chloroquine ) twelve years when I lived in Africa, no problems but it was for ...malaria; here , we speak of covid 19 

read here ; https://www.forbes.com/sites/tarahaelle/2020/03/23/man-dead-from-taking-chloroquine-after-trump-touts-drug-for-coronavirus/#6d6d7e2e72e9

[lamyai3]

On 3/24/2020 at 6:14 PM, Aforek said:

I took nivaquine ( chloroquine ) twelve years when I lived in Africa, no problems but it was for ...malaria; here , we speak of covid 19

Usually it's taken once a week for malaria prophylaxis, whereas in covid-19 the dose is twice a day so the toxicity is very high. 

[tlandtday]

On 3/21/2020 at 12:25 PM, gargamon said:

Stop listening to Trump. Azithromycin is an antibiotic. Covid-19 is a virus. The other two are unproven as of yet with only anecdotal evidence. Wait for real testing. If you like, stockpile some but don't take any. The other drug refimivir (something like that) that they hoped worked has failed tests.

 

Best bet, get a pneumonia vaccination. its pneumonia that kills them so that's what you really need to stop.

You need to do some research. Azithromycin is a n antibiotic yes but it is there if one gets pneumonia from the virus weakening the body.  This combo has been used with claims of success in other countries as well as by the French doctor.  Trump has nothing to do with the development of this treatment which could potentially save lives or would you rather they die to make a political statement?

[JHolmesJr]

https://pagesix.com/2020/03/22/daniel-dae-kim-anti-malarial-drug-secret-weapon-in-my-coronavirus-recovery/

 

This guy was prescribed Tamiflu, Azithromycin and Hrdrochloroquine....by his doctor.....not Trump.

He also had to use some sort of nasal decongestant spray.

I wouldn't recommend you blindly follow his lead.

But if you have no choice....I know what I would do.

[NCC1701A]

so lets say it is a month from now and the whole medical system has crashed in Thailand.

 

try as you might, you still get very sick with the Chinaflu and you finally see a doctor and he says sorry your lungs have not crashed yet but your really sick and we are out of one thing that might possible help you that is short supply right now. Chloroquine.

 

you can go on google right now and read about it:

 

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/coronavirus/new-york-starts-new-experimental-drug-therapies-to-treat-covid-19-heres-what-we-know/2341931/

 

https://www.thecardiologyadvisor.com/home/topics/practice-management/fda-studies-underway-to-evaluate-chloroquine-for-covid-19/

 

https://www.kgw.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/oregon-veterans-home-doctor-using-combination-of-drugs-to-treat-covid-19/283-6a054e1b-b56c-4650-b318-a1d05c716cc5

 

And lets say you had a full unused dose sitting around your house from your cancelled trip to Myanmar last year.

 

Do you A.) Die.

or         B.) Start chompin' down those pills?       

 

 

 

 

[idiot farang]

I bought both Azithromycin and Chloroquine jic. Would have purcahsed the less toxic version, but my overtstay + visa run to Laos put me a few days behind the curve. 

 

Bottom line: from a common sense perspective, I'd rather have it and not need it (or need to try it), vs need it and not have access to it. THe cost is minimal. Kinda a no-brainer from my POV....

Edited March 26, 2020 by idiot farang

[Aforek]

The government in France has accepted the use of chloroquine yesterday, in hospitals

I think because situation is urgent

there are now experiences in different european countries with several medecines, results in two weeks 

[gamesgplayemail]

It is clear for most specialists in the world that Nivaquine Chloroquine and Plaqueril Hydroxychloroquine work, but do they give them in Thailand ?

[Don Chance]

1- hydroxychloroquine 200mg twice a day for 5 days

2- azithromycin 500mg once a day for five days

3- zinc sulfate 220mg once a day for five days

 

Dr Zelenko statistics - 699 cases / 0 deaths = 0% death rate

[Sheryl]

8 hours ago, gamesgplayemail said:

It is clear for most specialists in the world that Nivaquine Chloroquine and Plaqueril Hydroxychloroquine work, but do they give them in Thailand ?

 

it is not at all clear that this is the case, in fact most doctors using this report seeing no obvious result. Which does not rule out a small benefit, needs a large scale controlled study to know that, but does strongly suggest it is nto the miracle cure some portray it as.

 

And yes they give chloroquine in Thailand. they give it in many hospitals around the world, it just doesn't have any obvious result  that can be readily seen. Which as mentioned does nto rule out a small difference, you need large numbers compare to controls and statistical analysis to determine that,

 

Give it a rest and wait for the result of proper studies which will not take much longer as they are already well underway.

[gamesgplayemail]

On 4/8/2020 at 11:09 AM, Sheryl said:

 

it is not at all clear that this is the case, in fact most doctors using this report seeing no obvious result. Which does not rule out a small benefit, needs a large scale controlled study to know that, but does strongly suggest it is nto the miracle cure some portray it as.

 

And yes they give chloroquine in Thailand. they give it in many hospitals around the world, it just doesn't have any obvious result  that can be readily seen. Which as mentioned does nto rule out a small difference, you need large numbers compare to controls and statistical analysis to determine that,

 

Give it a rest and wait for the result of proper studies which will not take much longer as they are already well underway.

 

You speak like idiots from my government. Idiots that nobody trust when chloriquine is openly used throughout the world.

Politics are idiots, we must be smarter than them.

 

 

 

[WaveHunter]

On 4/8/2020 at 11:09 AM, Sheryl said:

 

it is not at all clear that this is the case, in fact most doctors using this report seeing no obvious result. Which does not rule out a small benefit, needs a large scale controlled study to know that, but does strongly suggest it is nto the miracle cure some portray it as.

 

And yes they give chloroquine in Thailand. they give it in many hospitals around the world, it just doesn't have any obvious result  that can be readily seen. Which as mentioned does nto rule out a small difference, you need large numbers compare to controls and statistical analysis to determine that,

 

Give it a rest and wait for the result of proper studies which will not take much longer as they are already well underway.

Knowledgeable scientists and doctors that are advocating its' use are not thinking of hydroxychloroquine and zinc as any sort of "cure" for COVID-19, much less a "miracle cure".

 

Rather, they are looking at its' use as a way to delay onset and severity of critical symptoms for those who may respond favorably.  Considering that a deliverable vaccine is over a year away, any drug that might have the efficacy and safety to achieve this seems to be worth seriously looking into.

 

Even if it is anecdotal and not subject to the rigors of strict clinical trials yet, there seems to be quite a few positive outcomes being reported around the world, in connection to prescribing HCQ and zinc, especially in South Korea and China.

 

Furthermore,  there are a lot of in-vitro studies that demonstrate the mechanisms by which HCQ and zinc can prevent viruses from entering the cell membrane, or if already inside, can alter its' ability to replicate.  So, there is actually a pretty strong scientific basis for at least not just writing it off.

 

Chloroquine has been around for decades with an excellent safety record, and hydroxychloroquine is supposedly even safer.  If properly prescribed by a licensed physician who is knowledgeable about the drug, and his/her patient's particular situation, why should it not be a viable option?

 

Even if there was only a small chance of efficacy; if it could mean avoiding a trip to ICU, or even just shortening the time there, wouldn't that be reason enough to try it?

 

Edited April 13, 2020 by WaveHunter

[Sheryl]

16 hours ago, WaveHunter said:

 

Even if there was only a small chance of efficacy; if it could mean avoiding a trip to ICU, or even just shortening the time there, wouldn't that be reason enough to try it?

 

 

It would probably NOT mean that if efficacy was limited, in fact it might mean the opposite. More people might end up in critical condition or dead due to the side effects than would benefit.

 

This is the sort of information that clinical trials are designed to obtain.

 

There isn't a short cut and aggressive promotion of this drug without this information is counterproductive at best.

[WaveHunter]

5 hours ago, Sheryl said:

 

It would probably NOT mean that if efficacy was limited, in fact it might mean the opposite. More people might end up in critical condition or dead due to the side effects than would benefit.

 

This is the sort of information that clinical trials are designed to obtain.

 

There isn't a short cut and aggressive promotion of this drug without this information is counterproductive at best.

Well, you're entitled to your opinion and I'm entitled to mine. 

 

There are very smart, knowledgeable, and credible experts on both sides of the fence when it comes to this topic.  Some advocate compassionate use in spite of lack of clinical trials; some are against that. 

 

If chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine were some sort of new experimental drug with no safety track record, there would be no debate that clinical trials should be mandatory, but these drugs have been safely used for decades and their mechanisms are well understood.

 

In an ideal world, stringent clinical trials would obviously be the way to go, but this current situation is far from ideal!  By-the-book clinical trials lasting months or even years are NOT going to help someone entering ICU right now with perhaps days to live. 

 

That's what the "compassionate care" provision is all about, and I believe in it 100%.  That's why the FDA has granted Emergency Use Authorization, and I think that's also a good thing.  They did so because the science behind the use of HCQ and Zinc for Covid-19 treatment is very compelling.  So are the smaller clinical trials to date.  Though they might not meet the rigors of stringent clinical trials, they are very compelling and come from credible sources.

 

I can see valid points on both sides, but if were infected and was facing the real possibility of critical complications and possibly death, I would want that choice to decide for myself, and know that my doctor felt no constraints to provide me with transparent advice.

 

I know someone personally who's been on ventilation with severe pneumonia and came very close to dying.  It's not a pretty thing and I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.

 

An individual facing such a dire situation should be allowed the choice whether or not to consider HCQ for themselves in consultation with their own doctor and nobody else should have a say in that...no one!.

Edited April 14, 2020 by WaveHunter

[WaveHunter]

Just to add, Sheryl....

Frankly I don't understand why you get all bent out of shape about this.  Administering the drug to a needy patient right now is no different than conducting a clinical trial.  The drug would be administered the same way; the suggested dosages are already very low (the same as for Lupus treatment, and the duration of suggested treatment is only 7 days), and the patient would obviously be closely monitored throughout the administration for any possible adverse reactions...so what is really that different between a clinical trial and compassionate use on an existing patient who may be facing serious complications and possibly even death in the short term, if the only other treatment options are non-pharmaceutical?

Edited April 14, 2020 by WaveHunter

[Aland]

Since none of the well intentioned doctors on here will answer your question, I will. Hydroxychloroquine (chloroquine) 200mg twice a day for 5 days. Azithromycin 500mg once a day for 5 days. Zinc sulfate 220mg once a day for 5 days. Also good to bulk up on vitamin C.

[Aland]

6 hours ago, Sheryl said:

 

It would probably NOT mean that if efficacy was limited, in fact it might mean the opposite. More people might end up in critical condition or dead due to the side effects than would benefit.

 

This is the sort of information that clinical trials are designed to obtain.

 

There isn't a short cut and aggressive promotion of this drug without this information is counterproductive at best.

https://www.ecowatch.com/fda-coronavirus-malaria-drugs-2645615157.html?rebelltitem=2#rebelltitem2 I guess they will wait until better times to demand clinical testing.

[Sheryl]

Clinical testing is already well underway.

[Aland]

11 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Clinical testing is already well underway.

As is the use of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin for the treatment of covid19. 

[WaveHunter]

Just to be clear, I am by no means even close to being "sold" on the efficacy of HCQ.  I just feel frustration like most people that there is currently nothing other than non-pharmaceutical treatment options to fight this virus, and the only other viable tool in the arsenal is testing, which is woefully inadequate in almost every country right now.

 

I'm grateful that mitigation efforts here in Thailand seem to be working to bring down the number of new cases lately.  That's real encouraging and perhaps we can get out of this lockdown soon if it continues, but until a vaccine becomes a reality (which probably won't be for another year at least), this virus is here to stay, so some kind of effective pharmaceutical treatment option just seems so important.  

 

If HCQ is not the answer, I hope one of the other dozen or so treatment options being researched right now pans out soon.

 

Gilead's Remdesivir is probably the most promising one currently being studied.  Then there is the HIV drug, Kaletra.  Even though a report in the New England Journal of Medicine said that it was not effective for COVID-19, the WHO is still planning to research it in an upcoming massive global study, as they are also planning to do with Remdesivir, chloroquine, and other possible drugs. 

 

And then there is convalescent plasma, that involves blood plasma of COVID-19 patients who have recovered from the disease that contains virus-fighting antibodies that could help sick patients.

 

Actemra, sold by Roche, and Kevzara, sold by Regeneron and Sanofi, are both in the class of medicines called IL-6 inhibitors. They may work in COVID-19 patients by inhibiting a biological mechanism that could be driving an overactive inflammatory response in patients' lungs.  Both drugs have already started late-stage clinical trials.

 

And then there are the lab-manufactured Antibody treatments being researched by Eli Lilly, AbCellera, and Vir Biotechnology, some of which may begin testing by July.

 

I just hope at least one of them really works and can come into use soon because until an effective vaccine is distributed world-wide, this virus will remain a serious threat.

Edited April 15, 2020 by WaveHunter

[StewB1]

Chloroquine?

 

Checking my medicine cabinet I discovered that I had filled a prescription from a previous cancelled trip of a anti-marlaria medicine called Atovaquone Proguanil. After reading about Chloroquine I did a web search to see if Atovaquone Proguani was comparable to Chloroquine.

 

Unfortunately I was unable to uncover anything helpful.

 

Would anyone know if Atovaquone Proguanil has the same or similar comparable properties to Chloroquine ?

[WaveHunter]

34 minutes ago, StewB1 said:

Chloroquine?

 

Checking my medicine cabinet I discovered that I had filled a prescription from a previous cancelled trip of a anti-marlaria medicine called Atovaquone Proguanil. After reading about Chloroquine I did a web search to see if Atovaquone Proguani was comparable to Chloroquine.

 

Unfortunately I was unable to uncover anything helpful.

 

Would anyone know if Atovaquone Proguanil has the same or similar comparable properties to Chloroquine ?

It's similar to chloroquine in that it acts as a Malaria prophylaxis., but I'm not so sure it changes cell Ph, or acts on the cell membrane the same way that chloroquine does.   

 

At any rate, it's not wise to self-medicate, especially with off-label use.  Don't be like that guy who recently drank fish aquarium cleaner to protect against Covid-19 because the ingredients label said it contained what he thought was the same form of chloroquine used in medicine, when in fact it was not .  As dopey and funny as it sounds, he died hours later in the emergency room.

 

Edited April 15, 2020 by WaveHunter

[Sheryl]

33 minutes ago, StewB1 said:

Chloroquine?

 

Checking my medicine cabinet I discovered that I had filled a prescription from a previous cancelled trip of a anti-marlaria medicine called Atovaquone Proguanil. After reading about Chloroquine I did a web search to see if Atovaquone Proguani was comparable to Chloroquine.

 

Unfortunately I was unable to uncover anything helpful.

 

Would anyone know if Atovaquone Proguanil has the same or similar comparable properties to Chloroquine ?

Completely different drug (actually a combination of 2 drugs, both unrelated to chloroquine).