Skip to main content

Hydroxychloroquine Fails as Pre-exposure Prophylaxis for COVID-19

Numerous previous studies have questioned the efficacy or protection afforded by hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) for COVID-19 and studies have show that HCQ has failed when given as post-exposure prophylaxis to health care workers (HCWs).  A new randomized controlled trial has shown that HCQ failed when given as 8 weeks of pre-exposure prophylaxis in hospital-based HCWs exposed to patients with COVID-19 patients. 

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial randomized 132 full-time, hospital-based HCWs (physicians, nurses, certified nursing assistants, emergency technicians, and respiratory therapists), of whom 125 were initially asymptomatic and had negative results for SARS-CoV-2 by nasopharyngeal swab. The trial was terminated early for futility before reaching a planned enrollment of 200 participants.  HCWs were given either placebo or HCQ 600 mg, daily 8 weeks.

Evaluable subjects included 125 (94.7%) of the randomozed cohort.

There was no significant difference in infection rates in (by nasal PCR) participants randomized to receive HCQ (6.3%) compared with placebo (6.6%; P > .99).

There were more mild adverse events with HCQ compared with placebo (45% vs 26%; P = .04) but discontinuation rates and QTc changes were similar between groups. 

HCQ should not be used as prophylaxis in HCW or others at high risk for COVID-19.

ADD THE FIRST COMMENT

If you are a health practitioner, you may to comment.

Due to the nature of these comment forums, only health practitioners are allowed to comment at this time.

Disclosures
The author has no conflicts of interest to disclose related to this subject