Optimizing the Use of Hydroxychloroquine in the Management of COVID-19 Given Its Pharmacological Profile
Ahmed S. Ali *
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, KSA.
Mahran S. Abdel-Rahman
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Egypt.
Riyadh S. Almalikil
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Umm Al-qura University, KSA.
Abir S. Mohamed
Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Jazan University, KSA.
Khalid A. Alfaifi
Department of Pharmacy, Medical Services Directorate, Taif, KSA.
Abdelbabgi El. Fadil
Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, KSA.
Nagla A. El-Shitany
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, KSA and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.
Huda M. Alkreathy
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, KSA.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
After the global pandemic of the new coronavirus, its rapid spread and many victims, it is necessary to find an effective vaccine or drugs to overcome it. Most specialists consider that repositioning some medications is the best, fastest and most reliable option for treating patients with the new coronavirus without delay. One of these drugs was an old antimalarial drug, hydroxychloroquine. The current review aimed to explore its potential mechanism, as well as its pharmacokinetics and toxicity, in an attempt to suggest a treatment protocol for its use in treating the COVID-19 virus effectively and safely. This study reviewed the published references on the popular search engines as well as the reference books regarding the pharmacological effects of HCQ. The results of this study suggested the following practical guidelines to optimize HCQ efficacy and safety in the management of COVID-19. HQC should be used as early as possible, i.e., once the viral infection is confirmed or suspected. A loading dose is recommended to be given in 3-4 divided doses to minimize cardiac toxicity. Maintenance daily dose (divided into two doses), should be continued until complete remission. Precautions, drug-interaction, contraindications, variable metabolic pathways in the particular population should be considered. This study suggests more clinical trials regarding the use of HCQ in the management of early identified COVID-19 patients under close medical observation to minimize HCQ cardiac toxicity.
Keywords: Hydroxychloroquine, antimalarial drugs, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, clinical trials, pharmacokinetics, cardiac toxicity