A systematic review on the efficacy and safety of chloroquine for the treatment of COVID-19

Abstract

a b s t r a c t a r t i c l e i n f o Available online xxxxPurpose: COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) is a public health emergency of international concern. As of this time, there is no known effective pharmaceutical treatment, although it is much needed for patient contracting the severe form of the disease. The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the evidence regarding chloroquine for the treatment of COVID-19. Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, and three trial Registries were searched for studies on the use of chloroquine in patients with COVID-19. Results: We included six articles (one narrative letter, one in-vitro study, one editorial, expert consensus paper, two national guideline documents) and 23 ongoing clinical trials in China. Chloroquine seems to be effective in limiting the replication of SARS-CoV-2 (virus causing COVID-19) in vitro. Conclusions: There is rationale, pre-clinical evidence of effectiveness and evidence of safety from long-time clinical use for other indications to justify clinical research on chloroquine in patients with COVID-19. However, clinical use should either adhere to the Monitored Emergency Use of Unregistered Interventions (MEURI) framework or be ethically approved as a trial as stated by the World Health Organization. Safety data and data from high-quality clinical trials are urgently needed.

Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine in the treatment of COVID-19 with or without diabetes: A systematic search and a narrative review with a special reference to India and other developing countries

“…org database dated March 21, 2020 showed 4 trials with chloroquine and 3 trials with HCQ which is currently under progress and have been summarized in Table 4. A list of 23 trials are already enlisted with both compounds at Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (http://www.chictr.org.cn) [41]. We believe that it would be wise to conduct a quick interim analysis from these trials as soon as possible to find out the results that can be applied to the masses across the globe to curb the menace of COVID-19 pandemic.…”

Clinical features of the first cases and a cluster of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Bolivia imported from Italy and Spain

“…During this early period, published research primarily explored the epidemiology [63], causes, clinical manifestation and diagnosis [64], as well as prevention and control of the novel coronavirus. Although these studies are relevant to control the current public emergency, more high-quality research is needed to provide valid and reliable ways to manage this kind of public health emergency in both the short-and long-term, including therapeutic options [65][66][67][68][69][70][71].…”

The anti-viral facet of anti-rheumatic drugs: Lessons from COVID-19

“…A recent systematic review included six articles and 23 ongoing clinical trials in China. CQ seems to be effective in limiting the replication of SARS-CoV-2 [90]. Gautret et al reported twenty cases were treated for 6 days with HCQ at the dosage of 600 mg/day plus azithromycin that showed a significant reduction of the viral carriage compared to controls.…”