HIGHLIGHTS
- Donald Trump has been promoting use of anti-malaria drug for treating Covid-19
- Hydroxychloroquine can cause retinal and brain damage in patients as side-effects
- US drug agency too has listed many side-effects of hydroxychloroquine
It might have helped faster recovery of Covid-19 patients but the drug is known to have some serious side effects.
Among the agencies that have warned against frequent use of hydroxychloroquine is the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA). This document on the USFDA website lists a number of side-effects of hydroxychloroquine.
These are
1) Irreversible retinal damage (loss of vision)
2) Systemic lupus erythematosus (an inflammatory disease in which immune system starts attacking body tissues)
3) Heart-related ailments
4) Weakness in muscles
4) Lowering of blood sugar levels
5) Insomnia
6) Hallucinations
7) Acute depression leading to suicidal tendencies.
Hydroxyhloroquine may have more adverse impact on persons with diabetes or epilepsy. It is also not advisable for pregnant women.
The World Health Organisation (WHO), too, warn about the side-effects of anti-malarial drugs including chloroquine. It does not recommend hydroxychloroquine as a routine drug for treatment of malaria.