Caution and clarity required in the use of chloroquine for COVID-19
Yin Kwan Wong
Jing Yang
Yingke He
Published:April 02, 2020DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S2665-9913(20)30093-X
As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak continues to spread rapidly, efforts are ongoing in China and around the world to develop effective treatments. Among the drugs being tested for COVID-19 in China is chloroquine, which was reported on Feb 4, 2020, to inhibit severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in vitro. The drug was rapidly pushed to clinical testing as an experimental treatment in China; on Feb 15, 2020, it was included in the sixth version of the COVID-19 treatment guidelines by the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China. This guideline established the use of chloroquine nationwide for patients with COVID-19, at a recommended adult dose of 500 mg twice per day for no more than 10 days.