The short of it: hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin in a small study showed significantly decreased viral load and shortened time to resolution aka the virus cannot replicate and people get better a lot faster with it. Bayer and teva (pharmaceutical manufacturers) donated millions of tablets of HydroxyChloroquine to the US to treat it.
HydroxyChloriquine is an old medicine used to treat malaria, it's super cheap and available. It blocks the virus from replicating and from entering the cell (so potentially can be used for prophylaxis). azithromycin most likely helps because it decreases the inflammation in the lungs (my guess since there's no reason given from what I saw but have to reread it). Part of the problem with sars, which this virus causes just a different one than the sars in the 2000s, is it causes a massive immune response and inflammation which leads to not getting enough oxygen. Azithromycin decreases inflammation in the lungs and presumably is helping with this
No guidelines yet that I am aware of. Since it's not a new medication, but rather using an existing medication off label, there is no need for the compassionate care act to come into play. If they really wanted to (they being companies that make it like bayer and teva) they could apply for an investigational approval for a new treatment indication. But ultimately that's not required being that it's such a cheap medication, people can afford it without insurance anyhow
Edit: investigational drug application is used to get a medicine that's been previously approved for something to be approved for a new disease/illness so that insurance companies will pay for it
I'm not sure who makes it but it's most likely very easy to make since it's an older medication and not a complicated biologic agent. There's generic forms which means the manufacturing process and drug compound is public domain
Ok, we're waiting!! so, champagne or bourbon?? Hoping for the former. I'm assuming that's the celebration, lol. Never can tell, depending on the bourbon.
Only for those that take it long term and in larger doses. The amount needed to treat the Chinese Virus will not produce those vision side effects, nowhere near it. So, that’s good news!
Good luck kiddo. I did an EM residency, then worked Kings County MC, Elmhurst Hospital and MC, Lincoln Hospital, finished up at Nassau Univ MC in East Meadow. 30 years worth. Worked my last shift on Labor Day weekend 2008.
good luck pede! And thanks for the TLDR.
Thank you! Gonna be a champagne or bourbon celebration depending on the results lol either celebrate or drown the sorrow but hey at least I am done!
Good luck pede! Hoping for the best!
The short of it: hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin in a small study showed significantly decreased viral load and shortened time to resolution aka the virus cannot replicate and people get better a lot faster with it. Bayer and teva (pharmaceutical manufacturers) donated millions of tablets of HydroxyChloroquine to the US to treat it.
HydroxyChloriquine is an old medicine used to treat malaria, it's super cheap and available. It blocks the virus from replicating and from entering the cell (so potentially can be used for prophylaxis). azithromycin most likely helps because it decreases the inflammation in the lungs (my guess since there's no reason given from what I saw but have to reread it). Part of the problem with sars, which this virus causes just a different one than the sars in the 2000s, is it causes a massive immune response and inflammation which leads to not getting enough oxygen. Azithromycin decreases inflammation in the lungs and presumably is helping with this
Good luck! I remember Match day well. We were called across a stage and given a bottle of Champaign and our envelope. It was awesome!!!
Dp you have guidelines yet, or is prescribing this covered under compassionate care?
No guidelines yet that I am aware of. Since it's not a new medication, but rather using an existing medication off label, there is no need for the compassionate care act to come into play. If they really wanted to (they being companies that make it like bayer and teva) they could apply for an investigational approval for a new treatment indication. But ultimately that's not required being that it's such a cheap medication, people can afford it without insurance anyhow
Edit: investigational drug application is used to get a medicine that's been previously approved for something to be approved for a new disease/illness so that insurance companies will pay for it
Any US-based drug manufacturers ramping up? How hard is it to make? This seems a lot more doable than ramping up the production of ventilators.
(Thinking Perrigo in Michigan. Nothing on their website.)
I'm not sure who makes it but it's most likely very easy to make since it's an older medication and not a complicated biologic agent. There's generic forms which means the manufacturing process and drug compound is public domain
Hope it went well and there's champagne! I remember my match day! Congrats
Champagne for days
Ok, we're waiting!! so, champagne or bourbon?? Hoping for the former. I'm assuming that's the celebration, lol. Never can tell, depending on the bourbon.
Champagne!
Congratulations!
Thank you for the hope.
Retired doctor pede here. Good luck.
Hydroxychloroquine likely works by acting as a zinc ionophore. Zinc in lung cells inhibits replication of the virus.
Aren't some of the vision side effects pretty nasty?
Only for those that take it long term and in larger doses. The amount needed to treat the Chinese Virus will not produce those vision side effects, nowhere near it. So, that’s good news!
Where ya going, and what fer?
Internal medicine in the based part of NY
Wasnt this just shot down at today's press conference?
Idk
Good luck kiddo. I did an EM residency, then worked Kings County MC, Elmhurst Hospital and MC, Lincoln Hospital, finished up at Nassau Univ MC in East Meadow. 30 years worth. Worked my last shift on Labor Day weekend 2008.