Lack of Efficacy of Hydroxychloroquine or Azithromycin on COVID-19 Clinical Course

Two retrospective studies of COVID-19 patients in New York found no impact of hydroxychloroquine with or without azithromycin on risk of intubation or death.

Interest in hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine with or without azithromycin in treating patients with COVID-19 has been high since early reports suggested that using these drugs improved outcomes. This interest intensified with the FDA decision to issue an emergency-use authorization to allow their use for this indication. To help assess the actual efficacy of hydroxychloroquine with or without azithromycin, two groups of researchers undertook reviews of patients with COVID-19 admitted to New York hospitals between March and April 2020, when these agents were being used commonly to treat the infection. In the study by Geleris and colleagues, the primary analysis compared the risk for intubation or death in hydroxychloroquine recipients and …

Reviewing Authors

Richard T. Ellison III, MD

Disclosures

Consult/Advisory BoardAcurx Pharmaceuticals, LLC;

Grant/Research SupportDoctors Company Foundation, Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Richard T. Ellison III, MD

Disclosures

Consult/Advisory BoardAcurx Pharmaceuticals, LLC;

Grant/Research SupportDoctors Company Foundation, Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Carlos del Rio, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; NIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse

Editorial BoardsJAIDS: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes; Vaccines

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesInternational Antiviral Society–USA (Board of Directors); Infectious Diseases Society of America (Past President)

Carlos del Rio, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; NIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse

Editorial BoardsJAIDS: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes; Vaccines

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesInternational Antiviral Society–USA (Board of Directors); Infectious Diseases Society of America (Past President)

Lack of Efficacy of Hydroxychloroquine or Azithromycin on COVID-19 Clinical Course

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Reviewing Authors