Ridgeland, MS
Quoted from PantherCityPins:The chloroquine question is not certain at this time. There were some observational studies during the SARS outbreak in 2003 that patients on chloroquine for other conditions seemed to do better with SARS infection. There is a small study out of France that seems to show similar effects however it is a very small study and that is why Dr. Fauci is trying to throw some water on that fire.
Bottom line is it is not clear that there is a definite benefit as there have not been any large, randomized, controlled trials yet. Also, we want to protect the supply we do have and keep those for doctors and hospitals to use in cases to see if there is any benefit. There is probably concern from the administration to stop a run on chloroquine based on a small study and then not have any to use for the really sick patients.
I want to chime in a little bit here about the use of Chloroquine or Hydro-Chloroquine. About 10 years ago, I went overseas to an area where Malaria was possible and also yellow fever, among other nasty things. People that I went with were all required to get this medicine to prevent encephalitis and also take a bank of other shots for various diseases like hepatitus. What was available at the time were pink pills that you either took each day or some once per week. Taking that medicine was pretty much torture. If you have to take it, you can expect to have some serious gastrointestinal problems. Serious symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting and generally an upset stomach. Out of 10 people that I saw take the medicine, they all got sick, except for one person that only had mild symptoms of these same problems. I did not see one person take that medicine with no symptoms. Coincidentally, the treatment for malaria is the same medicine. Having experienced being around people that were required to take this stuff makes you understand the serious nature of the drug and desire to not have to take it. I guess if it keeps you from dying, it is worth it, but the results of taking this drug are severe. Two people even got dysentery. And if you don't know what that is, you can look it up, because I do not want to describe it here.
