latter two sets of data show a negligible difference. No difference in major cardiac arrhythmia was noted for hydroxychloroquine. The WHO S OLIDARITY trial involved 405 hospitals with 954 patients receiving hydroxychloroquine and 906 controls who did not. 26 Patients receiving HCQ were dosed at 2,000 mg over the first 24 hours, then 400 mg twice daily for 10 days. This failed to demonstrate increased mortality from hydroxychloroquine. However, on July 4, 2020 the WHO announced cessation of the hydroxychloroquine portion of the study. They noted, “associated safety signals in the clinical laboratory findings,” but also that those interim results, “do not provide solid evidence of mortality.” This cessation would not affect used of HCQ in non–hospitalized patients. It is worth noting the SOLIDARITY and RECOVER trial both used large first–day doses without noting adverse cardiac effects. A PubMed medical literature search yielded a number of large studies using hydroxychloroquine with or without azithromycin. 28-31 These showed some minor side effects such as gastrointestinal distress or headache. Some did show QT prolongation but no cardiac dysrhythmias. Summary Hydroxychloroquine has been around a long time and felt safe enough by the WHO to give to everyone, including children and pregnant or breast-feeding women. Available studies show patients experiencing minor side effects. Although QT prolongation may occur, there has not been a concurrent issue with arrhythmias and death. And, for some reason, the fabricated (and promptly retracted) 2020 Lancet Surgisphere article was the basis for cancellation of ongoing HCQ studies.
Anchorlines, June/July 2022
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