Inhaled hydroxychloroquine to improve efficacy and reduce harm in the treatment of COVID-19

Med Hypotheses. 2020 Oct:143:110110. doi: 10.1016/j.mehy.2020.110110. Epub 2020 Jul 15.

Abstract

Current formulations and dose regimens of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) put patients at risk of harm. An analysis of clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov revealed that this may continue as many studies combine HCQ with agents that prolong the QT interval. Further, almost all of the trials registered do not consider dosage adjustment in the elderly, a patient population most likely to require HCQ treatment. Here we describe an inhaled formulation of HCQ which has passed safety studies in clinical trials for the treatment of asthma and discuss how this approach may reduce side-effects and improve efficacy. As this simple formulation progressed to phase II studies, safety data can be used to immediately enable phase II trials in COVID-19.

Publication types

  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Inhalation
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Asthma / drug therapy
  • Betacoronavirus
  • COVID-19
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment
  • Clinical Trials, Phase I as Topic
  • Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic
  • Coronavirus Infections / drug therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydroxychloroquine / administration & dosage*
  • Lung / drug effects*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pandemics
  • Patient Safety
  • Pneumonia, Viral / drug therapy*
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Hydroxychloroquine