It’s a drug that already exists
Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine (a similar drug) are already on the market, under the trade names of Nivaquine and Plaquenil respectively (at 4.55 and 4.17 € per box). These drugs are used to treat malaria and certain autoimmune diseases (such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis). They have been around for decades (Nivaquine was marketed in France in the late 1940s) and are therefore well known. Their possible use in the current CoViD-19 epidemic is part of a so-called "molecule repositioning" strategy, when an existing drug is used for another disease.
It has shown good results in patients with Covid-19
Chinese study in more than 10 hospitals found "That chloroquine phosphate was more effective than the treatment received by the comparison group to contain the development of pneumonia, to improve the state of the lungs, so that the patient becomes negative again for the virus and to shorten the duration of the disease . " The Chinese government has included chloroquine in its therapeutic arsenal against infection.
Taking the example of this study, a French team carried out another on 24 infected patients. Conducted at the Marseille University Hospital Institute by Professor Didier Raoult (who is part of the scientific committee currently advising the government), this study gives very encouraging results. In a video dated Monday March 16 (intended for a medical audience), Professor Raoult indicates that "After 6 days, 90% are carriers of the virus (among those who have not received hydroxychloroquine, editor's note) and among those who have received Plaquenil, after 6 days, there is no more than 25% are carriers ”. Professor Raoult adds that "When we combine hydroxychloroquine with azithromycin (an antibiotic intended to protect against bacterial complications among others, editor's note), there is a dramatic decrease in the number of positives. However, all those who die die with the virus, so the fact of no longer having the virus changes the prognosis. " Government spokesperson Sibeth Ndiaye said the trials would be extended to more patients.
But these results are questionable
However, these studies are not very detailed: in the Chinese study, we do not know what the comparative treatment was, there is no placebo group in the French study, which was conducted on only 24 patients (which is very little). Additional studies are therefore necessary to get things right.
The WHO (World Health Organization) has not included chloroquine in the list of priority treatments to be evaluated, but does mention it in its list of drugs under test.
There are contraindications
Drug interactions exist with the treatments used in resuscitation patients, which prevents it from being used in the most serious cases (in the current state of knowledge). Otherwise, "Chloroquine has well identified side effects and is highly toxic in the event of an overdose (especially in children). In addition, the toxic dose can be reached quickly ”, indicates the French Network of regional pharmacovigilance centers, which adds that “Chloroquine is contraindicated or strongly discouraged in the event of: diabetes, epilepsy, heart disease (heart failure, infarction, arrhythmia, congenital QTc prolongation), Parkinson disease, porphyria, G6PD deficiency, retinopathy (or other chronic eye disease), potassium or magnesemia disorders. " In addition, she "Should not be used during pregnancy (or breastfeeding, note) without medical advice. " The RFCRPV presents all the undesirable effects on its site.
Other sources: AFP, The Physician's Daily, The Pharmacist's Daily.
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