#chloroquine

“Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine can cause severe cardiac toxicity, and in high doses over a long duration, can cause retinal damage and lead to permanent blindness,” said Dr. Alvin Bronstein, DOH Emergency Medical Services and Injury Prevention System Branch Chief. “Individuals using these medications without physician supervision run serious risks of side effects and potential overdoses. Other medications are being touted, but nothing has been proven to be effective and may even do more harm than good.”

“As we race to develop a vaccine, we’re also developing anti-viral therapies,” said President Trump noting that treatments will help reduce the severity or duration of the symptoms.  The president named several prospective therapies including chloroquine, which has been used in the past for the treatment of malaria.  The drug has gained FDA approval for testing as a potential COVID-19 treatment.