COVID-19 Treatment Update: Malaria Pill Approved in the 40s Shows Promising Results

Pharmaceutical companies and research groups are hard at work in a bid to find successful treatments for patients infected with the new coronavirus. Scientists have focused their attention on repurposing older drugs while new drugs and vaccines are being developed.

Researchers have looked into a drug that was widely prescribed in the US in 1949 as a medication against malaria. The drug, which is named chloroquine, has gone unnoticed despite promising early results.

Chloroquine offers a simple, affordable and scalable treatment option to coronavirus patients---standing out against next-generation therapeutics and other expensive treatments used to curb the virus.

The anti-malaria pill has yet to undergo clinical trials nor has its clinical data been reviewed by peers.

Didier Raoult, a prominent infectious-disease expert, is running a clinical trial of the drug hydroxychloroquine, commonly used to treat malaria, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and porphyria cutanea tarda, on a few patients in France.

According to Raoult's findings, the drug shortened the time that people with COVID-19 were infectious.

Azithromycin, an antibiotic, also helped fight lung infections on coronavirus patients when combined with the anti-malaria drug.

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Rheumatoid Arthritis Drugs

The Swiss pharmaceutical firm Roche was reportedly talking with the FDA to get approval on clinical trials for the drug Actemra (Tocilizumab). The drug is used to treat moderate to severe arthritis and has been used by doctors in China to curb the effects of COVID-19 on critical patients.

According to China's National Health Commission, the drug was effective against preventing organ failure and an overreaction of the immune system on coronavirus patients.

An initial clinical trial in China, which involved 20 patients with severe cases, found positive results. It was reported 19 patients were discharged from the hospital within two weeks.

Another research company, Sanofi and Regeneron, is planning on launching a clinical trial in New York to see if their drug Kevzara will produce positive results.

HIV Drugs

The FDA, CDC, and various European agencies are cooperating with AbbVIe, the creator of HIV drugs Kaletra/Aluvia, to determine whether the drug could be used to treat COVID-19 patients.

Abbvie is setting up clinical trials. It is also monitoring its supplies to make sure HIV patients won't be affected by the increase in demand for the Kaletra/Aluvia.

Remdesivir

Remdesivir is said to be "the most promising candidate" for coronavirus treatment. The drug was originally developed by Gilead Sciences as a treatment for Ebola.

It is now being tested in clinical trials in China and in 20 locations across the US.

Health officials clarify repurposed drugs aren't likely to be cure-alls. They are, however, the only near-term treatment options.

Vaccines are expected to take months, if not years, to be determined safe and effective against the new coronavirus.

Repurposed drugs could bring relief and aid to healthcare systems around the world. Drugs like Remdesivir could shorten a patient's hospital stays and lower or eradicate the need for a ventilator.

Chloroquine could help prevent the hospitalization of COVID-19 patients. However, the drug has drastic side effects such as damage to the eyes, headaches, dizziness, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Researchers are now planning to test whether or not the anti-malaria drug could help protect healthcare workers from contracting the virus.