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Is There Any Evidence That Hydroxychloroquine Can Prevent Covid-19?
Experts debate whether the potential risks outweigh any hypothetical benefits
On Monday, President Donald Trump announced he has been taking the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine as a prophylaxis against the novel coronavirus — meaning he’s taking the drug, which is under investigation as a Covid-19 treatment, to prevent getting infected. There is no evidence that Trump has been exposed to the coronavirus nor is there evidence that hydroxychloroquine can prevent infection. However, there is a line of thinking that if someone has come into contact with the virus — which is not out of the question for Trump given that several White House staffers, including his personal valet, have tested positive for it — the drug may offer some protection.
Hydroxychloroquine has been a controversial medication since the start of the pandemic. The drug has both antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties, and early studies in cells suggested it might be effective against the novel coronavirus. However, results from clinical trials of its use in people with Covid-19 have been mixed. Initial promising results later came under scrutiny, and subsequent studies have reported no benefit. Most damning was a study conducted by Veterans Affairs — which has not yet been…
