https://apnews.com/a5077c7227b8eb8b0dc23423c0bbe2b2
Summary:
We still don't have conclusive evidence that this drug works or not, but this in combination with the Brazil study that was halted is why you don't go running out prescribing treatment widely without more study.
Hopefully the drug has benefits for patients that don't fit the profile of the ones studied here. I believe the Brazil trial had some early evidence that there was some benefit for those who started taking it early in their infection.
Summary:
- Not highly rigorous study. Small sample of 368, but did at least include a control group
- 28% who were given hydroxychloroquine plus usual care died
- 11% of those getting routine care alone
- 22% of those getting the drug plus azithromycin died too, but the difference between that group and usual care was not considered large enough to rule out other factors that could have affected survival
- Hydroxychloroquine made no difference in the need for a breathing machine, either
We still don't have conclusive evidence that this drug works or not, but this in combination with the Brazil study that was halted is why you don't go running out prescribing treatment widely without more study.
Hopefully the drug has benefits for patients that don't fit the profile of the ones studied here. I believe the Brazil trial had some early evidence that there was some benefit for those who started taking it early in their infection.
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