NIH Panel Recommends Against Drug Combination Promoted By Trump For COVID-19

https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/04/21/840341224/nih-panel-recommends-against-drug-combination-trump-has-promoted-for-covid-19?utm_campaign=storyshare&fbclid=IwAR0q6hliWnEmeZAOpOI22E96FDbnyW3Kjm5qzRRElxgF1WZoXnkmXDwHxxI

Joe Palca
April 21, 2020

A panel of experts convened by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases recommends against doctors using a combination of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin for the treatment of COVID-19 patients because of potential toxicities.

"The combination of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin was associated with QTc prolongation in patients with COVID-19," the panel said.

QTc prolongation increases the risk of sudden cardiac death.

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The plan is to update the guidelines frequently as new results become available. Swindells said there could be an update about the recommendations regarding remdesivir in the coming week or so.