Drug championed by Trump for coronavirus shows no benefit, possible harm in study awaiting validation

By Deena Beasley

 

FILE PHOTO: Researchers at the Microbiology Research Facility work with coronavirus samples as a trial begins to see whether malaria treatment hydroxychloroquine can prevent or reduce the severity of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. March 19, 2020. REUTERS/Craig Lassig

 

(Reuters) - An old malaria drug touted by U.S. President Donald Trump as a "game changer" in the fight against the coronavirus provided no benefit and potentially higher risk of death for patients at U.S. veterans hospitals, according to an analysis that has been submitted for expert review.

 

There are currently no approved treatments or vaccines specifically for the new coronavirus. But decades old hydroxychloroquine has been widely used in an attempt to alter the course of the COVID-19 respiratory illness based on anecdotal reports that it may provide some benefit.

 

An analysis of Veterans Health Administration (VA) data found that 28% of 97 patients given hydroxychloroquine along with standard care died, compared with a death rate of 11% for the 158 patients that did not receive the drug. The death rate was 22% for the 113 patients given hydroxychloroquine plus the antibiotic azithromycin.

 

The research, which has not yet been accepted for publication in a medical journal, is not the result of a clinical trial. It analyzed medical records from 368 men hospitalized with confirmed coronavirus infection at VA centers who died or were discharged by April 11, according to the paper posted online for researchers.

 

The severe threat posed by the new coronavirus has encouraged sharing within the scientific community of "preprints" - the practice of researchers posting their findings prior to external checks, scrutiny or validation. The study authors did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

 

After taking patients’ individual characteristics into account, researchers calculated that the risk of death was more than double in those who received hydroxychloroquine.

 

Hydroxycholoquine also appeared to have no impact on a patients' need for breathing support. Rates of mechanical ventilation were 13% for those who got the drug versus 14% for patients who received only supportive care. For those who received the malaria drug and the antibiotic, only 7% required breathing assistance.

 

Even though there is not yet scientific evidence that hydroxychloroquine is effective against COVID-19, doctors have said they are generally comfortable prescribing the inexpensive drug, which has also been used to treat lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

 

But doctors at major medical centers say they have not seen convincing evidence that it provides a benefit and there are potential heart and vision risks for some patients.

 

Numerous randomized trials are underway in the United States and elsewhere, aiming to answer the question of whether the drug has a role to play in the pandemic that has infected more than 2.5 million people worldwide and killed about 176,000.

 

(Reporting by Deena Beasley; Editing by Bill Berkrot)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-04-22

 

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To bad would have been nice if it helped wonder how many were injured by trumps unfounded ill advised and harmful jaw jacking 

Trump’s comments and Fox News support for this drug not based on clinical trials, just anecdotal reports. Professional trials are required before any conclusions can be made. 

40 minutes ago, webfact said:

After taking patients’ individual characteristics into account, researchers calculated that the risk of death was more than double in those who received hydroxychloroquine.

 

Can we now officially say that DT has been "raving like a madman" ?

 

 

Follow the money

54 minutes ago, Tug said:

To bad would have been nice if it helped wonder how many were injured by trumps unfounded ill advised and harmful jaw jacking 

Don't worry he will have an excuse or blame someone else.

He has the best brain that he use a lot. Like a lot !!

A month before POTUS touted his snake oil, it had been debunked by at least two studied from universities advising against and also the possibility of arrhythmia, and other side effects.

 

 

7 minutes ago, scorecard said:

Don't worry he will have an excuse or blame someone else.

As he said at the time "what would I know? I am not a doctor, but what have got to loose?" (only your heart health) 

1 hour ago, AlexRich said:

Trump’s comments and Fox News support for this drug not based on clinical trials, just anecdotal reports. Professional trials are required before any conclusions can be made. 

Tell that to Trump supporters...

And will anyone of those Trump supporters say now something: He should not have promoted that drug?

It seems they are so used to his BS that they don't care anymore that a president is supposed to tell the truth.

1 hour ago, webfact said:

An old malaria drug touted by U.S. President Donald Trump as a "game changer" in the fight against the coronavirus provided no benefit and potentially higher risk of death for patients at U.S. veterans hospitals

That´s mostly how it goes when a hotelier takes out the sword and dub himself as a virologist.

24 minutes ago, Matzzon said:

That´s mostly how it goes when a hotelier takes out the sword and dub himself as a virologist.

Well, he's only a genius as far as homes for horses go. ....

Reuters...

 Litigators will already be lining up to launch medical malpractice claims. What will these doctors use as a defence? Our president said to use this stuff? Why wouldn't we?

Just now, pegman said:

 Litigators will already be lining up to launch medical malpractice claims. What will these doctors use as a defence? Our president said to use this stuff? Why wouldn't we?

I wonder how many obtained it online, or over the counter has I know some have done here in Thailand? Self medication is never a good idea.

 

 

 

10 minutes ago, Cryingdick said:

Reuters...

Yeah Dick, it's no InfoWars. 

1 hour ago, Cryingdick said:

Reuters...

FOX

https://www.foxnews.com/science/hydroxychloroquine-does-not-clear-coronavirus-but-can-alleviate-symptoms-study-says

2 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

And will anyone of those Trump supporters say now something: He should not have promoted that drug?

It seems they are so used to his BS that they don't care anymore that a president is supposed to tell the truth.

total authority + no responsibility = Trumpism

1 hour ago, Cryingdick said:

Reuters...

National Institute of Health.

22 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

FOX

https://www.foxnews.com/science/hydroxychloroquine-does-not-clear-coronavirus-but-can-alleviate-symptoms-study-says

No symptoms if your dead.  ????

Can't blame Trump. He was just watching Fox news and they ran a short clip on it. As that is where he gets his news, he got all excited. Our ADD boy in action. 

Wait for it.

 

What drug, i never told anyone about the drug, i dont know the drug, i dont have shares in the drug.

 

next will be to tell governors they should re open. When they do and it all goes bad he then can blame them and say it was their decision. If it goes good he can say he told them.

 

the king of no responsibility and his supporters will blindly follow the deplorable one.

Surprise!

5 minutes ago, lopburi3 said:

No symptoms if your dead.  ????

No need for chloroquine if you not sick. Dah????

1 hour ago, Cryingdick said:

Reuters...

Trump....

3 hours ago, RJRS1301 said:

As he said at the time "what would I know? I am not a doctor, but what have got to loose?" (only your heart health) 

and possibly damage the health of millions of people.

Poor Donald ! Looks like another one of his investments has gone the way of the dodo. He is pushing the use

of chloraquin because he and his family invested in the pharmaceutical company that manufactures the product.

46 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

FOX

https://www.foxnews.com/science/hydroxychloroquine-does-not-clear-coronavirus-but-can-alleviate-symptoms-study-says

If you heart survives the arrhythmia, and the cytokine storm does not become more intense from the medication.   

22 minutes ago, Sujo said:

Wait for it.

 

What drug, i never told anyone about the drug, i dont know the drug, i dont have shares in the drug.

 

next will be to tell governors they should re open. When they do and it all goes bad he then can blame them and say it was their decision. If it goes good he can say he told them.

 

the king of no responsibility and his supporters will blindly follow the deplorable one.

Reminds one of the Emperors new clothes