1. Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
2. Department of Respiratory Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
3. Intensive Care Unit, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
Volume 31, Issue 1, March 2020
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75317505
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When there is a pandemic there is no time to waste: should we have hydroxychloroquine in our armoury against COVID-19 infected patients?
Abstract
The current use of chloroquine and/or hydroxychloroquine, a drug currently used to treat autoimmune rheumatic diseases, in treating severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) or COVID-19-infected patients with pneumonia is a matter of intense consideration. We wish to enter the ongoing debate as to whether this well-known drug must be given to Greek COVID-19-infected patients, especially those with pneumonia. Our arguments are based on the existing data and the capacity of the Greek health system to afford potent anti-viral treatments, which are under immense investigation. We propose several suggestions related to treatment of COVID-19 pneumonia with chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine that we think must be taken into consideration to fit the evolving situation of the pandemic in Greece.
https://doi.org/10.31138/mjr.31.1.
Article Submitted: 26 Mar 2020; Article Accepted: 28 Mar 2020; Published 31 Mar 2020
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC-BY).
©Bogdanos DP, Daniil Z, Zakynthinos E, Gourgoulianis K, Sakkas LI.
