A clinical trial to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of hy-droxychloroquine for the treatment of adults hospitalized with COVID-19 has begun, with the first participants now enrolled by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health. Hy-droxychloroquine is used to treat malaria and rheumatoid conditions such as arthritis. In various studies, the drug has demonstrated antiviral activity, an ability to modify the activity of the immune system, and has an established safety profile at appropriate doses, leading to the hypothesis that it also may be useful in the treatment of COVID-19. The drug is not without risks, as even short-term use can cause cardiac arrythmias, seizures, dermatological reactions, and hypoglycemia.
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