Origins of chloroquine (CQ) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ)
The bitter bark from a high altitude tree from S outh American was known to have curative qualities back in the 1600s. French chemists identified quinine and its use for periodic fever diseases. 6 Bayer Dye Works, Germany identified chloroquine (CQ) in 1934. The WHO was established to deal with malaria. It selected chloroquine and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) as their program to eradicate the disease. 6 The latter had the disastrous wildlife effect of thinning bird eggshells and its use ceased. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) was identified in 1946 and found to have 40% less toxicity than chloroquine. 7
Past findings on safety of CQ and HCQ
Fortunately, these medications have a long history of use with much data on their safety profile. HCQ was over–the–counter in France until a decree in 2020. 8 The WHO commissioned a review of safety and toxicity of CQ after its first thirty years of use. 1 Their report found: “With the doses recommended for malaria suppression or treatment, side effects are rare, and, when they do occur, they are usually slight. They generally consist of gastrointestinal disturbances (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, anorexia) dizziness, headache, and occasionally pruritus (itching). Though unpleasant, these symptoms tend to be mild, of short duration, and without adverse consequences. Their incidence can be reduced to a very low level by avoiding excessive doses and by not taking chloroquine on an empty stomach but always with some food or after a meal.” As with any medication, the greatest concern lies in administration during pregnancy. The paper went on to comment:
Anchorlines, June/July 2022
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