Has there been any talk about quinines (malaria therapy) in the news for COVID-19?

[khm]

From what I've heard, it is a VERY small study, like started with 26 people and ended with 22ish. (Just from the news, I haven't read the scientific papers or anything.) It said the "detectable" virus appeared "less concentrated / lower" in the nasal testing, but they couldn't really determine if that was significant reducing symptoms, let alone saving someone from death or going on a ventilator. It just wasn't a large enough study.

It'd be amazing if it turns out to be helpful, and I hope hospitals are attempting its use with certain patients, but at this point they just don't know.

That the mentioned drugs shot up on the official FDA list of scarce drugs because doctors and dentists are getting it for themselves and/or "favored" patients who probably don't even have the virus at all is just sad and frightening for people who currently need the drugs for their intended purposes.

[StantonHyde]

Yes to all of this. Please please please don't try a do it yourself remedy. It has already killed one in AZ. Shortages are very alarming in the pharmaceutical world on a normal day. This is creating a downright disastrous situation.

The drugs have risks. Prescribing them means that the prescriber weighed risks vs. benefits for the patient. And it has only been tested on people in ICUs--not at their first sign of fever/cough/etc. People are putting themselves in danger by doing this. Drives me nuts. I hope cautionary tales like the death in AZ get shared. I feel sorry for that person, but they need to be the example. It is especially infuriating that prescribers who should know better are driving the shortage by getting the meds for themselves.

[HannaAddict]

The drugs have risks. Prescribing them means that the prescriber weighed risks vs. benefits for the patient. And it has only been tested on people in ICUs--not at their first sign of fever/cough/etc. People are putting themselves in danger by doing this. Drives me nuts. I hope cautionary tales like the death in AZ get shared. I feel sorry for that person, but they need to be the example. It is especially infuriating that prescribers who should know better are driving the shortage by getting the meds for themselves.

Agree with everything you posted. There is an entire segment of red baseball hat folks promoting the idea that doctors or “the media” are suppressing this info to get Trump. My BIL’s feeds are full of this as he ignores actual science. Hope there is actual data or a real trial vs irresponsible promotion of a miracle cure.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mommy111]

I doubt very much that any shortages are being driven by providers prescribing to themselves because the studies are so suspect. However, they are being used in most ICUs for critical patients. A family member takes this for lupus. Her MD wrote her a 3 months supply (as usual) and the pharmacy refused to fill the prescription. It started with ‘we don’t have it, we’re short’ to eventually, when I showed up to argue, with the fact that they were refusing to fill it in case there was a shortage. And why would anyone need a 3 months supply so she must be hoarding. Um, no, my 75 year old aunt with lupus is not hoarding, she’s been taking the same dose for 5 years you idiot. She literally called me in tears from the pharmacy because they were telling her she was not going to get it, and I had to drive over to argue with them

[Globetrotter]

My friend has multiple health issues and depends on that drug, And she’s unable to get it. She’s in a bad state right now, and she’s also at very high risk if she gets C19. Sigh…

[elbenn]

A respected doctor that I follow on Twitter recommended this thread in regards to questions about the drugs that are being tested for the coronvirus. I thought it was helpful:

https://twitter.com/Rfonsi1/status/1243538587116855297