There appears to be an 80% decreased chance of hospital admission if Rx'd Hydroxycholoquine in combination with Azithromycin and Zinc as soon as a person is found to test positive or show symptoms. According to the supposedly accurate data on COVID cases/ admissions to hospital, and deaths, this would equate to about 70,000 lives that could have been saved that weren't because the liberal media and the liberal AMA et al could not allow it's use because President Trump advocated it, and it offered hope at a time when they needed to bring Trump down.
All of the reasons cited by the AMA in its' reversal in it's November 2020 meeting minutes released this week (which was buried deep within their minutes) was available last Spring and certainly by the beginning of July when the Henry Ford study came out. I mentioned all of these points and even cited the weakness of the data and studies being held up as a reason to not use Hydroxychloroquine that they now cite as unreliable (including the rescinded articles from the NEJM). NONE OF THE REASONS GIVEN REPRESENTS NEW INFORMATION NOT ALREADY KNOWN SINCE LAST SUMMER.
But while I only have 30+ yrs as an MD, a long clinical practice history, National Specialty Board Certification, and have done actual research, this could not compare to the education of HydroxychloroJim, Conor, and the other libs on this board who went through the heated crucible of an hour long CNN special with Jake Tapper.
I would laugh at you right now if it wasn't so sad for our country. Removing Trump "by any means necessary" was your credo - and you and fellow academic liberals in the AMA were willing to hurt patients to accomplish your goal of hiding the fact that Trump was right yet again.
Here is the copied and pasted pertinent part of the AMA minutes, and I have provided the link as well:
AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION HOUSE OF DELEGATES
Resolution: 509
(November 2020)
Introduced by: Georgia
Subject: Hydroxychloroquine and Combination Therapies – Off-Label Use
Referred to: Reference Committee E
1 Whereas, SARS-CoV-2 is the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19; and
2
3 Whereas, Three distinct stages of COVID-19 infection have been observed in some people who
4 test positive for the disease and have variable degrees of symptoms as noted (1); and
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31 Whereas, During the early infection phase (Stage 1), the virus multiplies inside the body and is
32 likely to cause mild symptoms that may be confused with a common cold or flu; and
33
34 Whereas, The second phase is the pulmonary phase (Stage 2), when the Immune
35 System becomes strongly affected by infection and leads to primarily respiratory symptoms
36 such as persistent cough, shortness of breath and low oxygen levels. Problems with blood
37 clotting--especially with the formation of blood clots--may be predominant in Stage 2; and
Resolution: 509 (November 2020)
Page 2 of 6
1 Whereas, The third hyperinflammatory phase (Stage 3), occurs when a hyperactivated immune
2 system may cause injury to the heart, kidneys, and other organs. A "cytokine storm"--where the
3 body attacks its own tissues--may occur in this phase; and
4
5 Whereas, There is no current Federal Drug Administration (FDA) indication for the treatment of
6 Early Coronavirus infection, but early emergency use authorization (EUA) originally approved
7 the use of hydroxychloroquine and then rescinded it (2); and
8
9 Whereas, The FDA limited use of convalescence plasma but now has rescinded that
10 limitation (3); and
11
12 Whereas, Hydroxychloroquine and Chloroquine are FDA approved medications for over
13 50 years, and these medications are safely prescribed long-term for other indications (2); and
14
15 Whereas, AMA President, Patrice A. Harris, MD, issued the following statement: “The AMA
16 is calling for a stop to any inappropriate prescribing and ordering of medications, including
17 chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine, and appealing to physicians and all health care
18 professionals to follow the highest standards of professionalism and ethics” (4); and
19
20 Whereas, The AMA, American Pharmacists Association, and American Society of Health
21 System Pharmacists issued a joint statement on March 25, 2020 on inappropriate ordering,
22 prescribing, or dispensing of medications to treat COVID-19 (4); and
23
24 Whereas, Some states, pharmacy boards and institutions have forbidden the use of these
25 medications for COVID-19 infection (4, 5); and
26
27 Whereas, A proposed regimen to treat COVID-19 for Stage 1, includes 10 days of
28 hydroxychloroquine, Azithromycin, zinc, and on occasion Vitamin D (6); and
29
30 Whereas, This regimen is not being advocated for Stage 2 and Stage 3 COVID therapy; and
31
32 Whereas, The original studies published in The Lancet and The New England Journal of
33 Medicine (NEJM) initially citing harm due to hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine use were
34 retracted by said journals due to dubious research methodology and incorrect conclusions
35 (7, 8, 9); and
36
37 Whereas, AMA policy H-120.988, “Patient Access to Treatments Prescribed by Their
38 Physicians,” supports a physician’s autonomy to prescribe medications the physician believes to
39 be in the patient’s best interest, where the benefits outweigh risk and the patient consents; and
40
41 Whereas, Physicians have used off label medications for years and this use is supported by
42 existing policy; and
43
44 Whereas, Data regarding harm have been limited due to poorly designed studies or studies
45 usually in Stage 2 or later, or stopped without harm but no effect in phase 2 and hypothesis
46 (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12); and
47
48 Whereas, There are many studies that indicate that the use of Hydroxychloroquine,
49 Azithromycin is effective and front-line physicians are using the therapy where permissible
50 (13, 14, 15); and
Resolution: 509 (November 2020)
Page 3 of 6
1 Whereas, The COVID-19 pandemic is a serious medical issue, people are dying, and
2 physicians must be able to perform as sagacious prescribers; therefore be it
3
4 RESOLVED, That our American Medical Association rescind its statement calling for physicians
5 to stop prescribing hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine until sufficient evidence becomes
6 available to conclusively illustrate that the harm associated with use outweighs benefit early in
7 the disease course. Implying that such treatment is inappropriate contradicts AMA Policy
8 H-120.988, “Patient Access to Treatments Prescribed by Their Physicians,” that addresses off
9 label prescriptions as appropriate in the judgement of the prescribing physician (Directive to
10 Take Action); and be it further
11
12 RESOLVED, That our AMA rescind its joint statement with the American Pharmacists
13 Association and American Society of Health System Pharmacists, and update it with a joint
14 statement notifying patients that further studies are ongoing to clarify any potential benefit of
15 hydroxychloroquine and combination therapies for the treatment of COVID-19 (Directive to Take
16 Action); and be it further
17
18 RESOLVED, That our AMA reassure the patients whose physicians are prescribing
19 hydroxychloroquine and combination therapies for their early-stage COVID-19 diagnosis by
20 issuing an updated statement clarifying our support for a physician’s ability to prescribe an FDA21 approved medication for off label use, if it is in her/his best clinical judgement, with specific
22 reference to the use of hydroxychloroquine and combination therapies for the treatment of the
23 earliest stage of COVID-19 (Directive to Take Action); and be it further
24
25 RESOLVED, That our AMA take the actions necessary to require local pharmacies to fill valid
26 prescriptions that are issued by physicians and consistent with AMA principles articulated in
27 AMA Policy H-120.988, “Patient Access to Treatments Prescribed by Their Physicians,”
28 including working with the American Pharmacists Association and American Society of Health
29 System Pharmacists. (Directive to Take Action)
Fiscal Note: Modest - between $1,000 - $5,000
Received: 10/23/20
References:
1. Stages of COVID-19. https://emergencymedicinecases.com/covid-19-screening-diagnosis-management/
2. Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA Revokes Emergency Use Authorization for Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine.
https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-revokes-emergency-use-authorizationchloroquine-and
3. Recommendations for Investigational COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma. https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-bloodbiologics/investigational-new-drug-ind-or-device-exemption-ide-process-cber/recommendations-investigational-covid-19-
convalescent-plasma
4. “The A.M.A. is calling for a stop to any inappropriate prescribing and ordering of medications, including chloroquine or
hydroxychloroquine, and appealing to physicians and all health care professionals to follow the highest standards of professionalism
and ethics,” said AMA President Patrice A. Harris, MD.
The American Medical Association, American Pharmacists Association, and American Society of Health System Pharmacists issued
a j oint statement on March 25, 2020 on inappropriate ordering, prescribing or dispensing of medications to treat COVID-19.
https://www.ama-assn.org/system/files/2020-04/board-of-pharmacy-covid-19-prescribing.pdf
5. Pharmacy Practice New. Rosenthal M. Hydroxychloroquine: Where Pharmacy, Medicine and Politics Intersect, Pharmacy
Practice News August 8, 2020
6. Risch H. Opinion: Early Outpatient Treatment of Symptomatic, High-Risk Covid-19 Patients that Should be Ramped-Up
Immediately as Key to the Pandemic Crisis Am J Epidemiol. 2020 May 27;kwaa093. doi: 10.1093/aje/kwaa093. Online ahead of
print.
7. Piller C, Servick k. Two elite medical journals retract coronavirus papers over data integrity questions.
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/06/two-elite-medical-journals-retract-coronavirus-papers-over-data-integrity-questions#
June 4, 2020
8. Lancet retraction website https://www.thelancet.com/action/showPdf?pii=S0140-6736%2820%2931180-6
9. NEJM Retraction: Cardiovascular Disease, Drug Therapy, and Mortality in Covid-19. N Engl J Med. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2007621.
11. NIH halts clinical trial of hydroxychloroquine https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-halts-clinical-trial-hydr
Link: https://www.ama-assn.org/system/files/2020-10/nov20-handbook-addendum.pdf
There was substantial proof it worked in early stages of viral load on your body, there was also substantial proof that it was good to use prophylactically... but admitting such would mean that Trump was correct about something. They would rather peddle the narrative that he actually meant to inject antibacterial soap or bleach in your veins to kill it...
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Connor, Chris golfer 64 frank....they've all gone dark. Jim at least chimed in although he got it wrong at least he had the stones to pipe up.
Forgive typos. Sent from iPhone
statement either from back in March/April and now.
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Multiple studies provide data that hydroxychloroquine (brand name: Plaquenil) does not provide a medical benefit for hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Hydroxychloroquine, an FDA-approved prescription drug used for malaria, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus erythematosus, has been suggested as a possible treatment or preventive for COVID-19 based on demonstrated antiviral or immune system activity.
In June 2020, the FDA revoked the emergency use authorization (EUA) of oral hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine phosphate for the treatment of COVID-19. An EUA can allow quicker access to critical medical products when there are no approved alternative options.
Based on an evaluation of the scientific data to date, the FDA concluded that chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine are not likely to be effective in the treatment of COVID-19 for the authorized uses in the EUA.
In addition, the risk for serious side effects with hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine phosphate are a concern. This includes the possibility of adverse cardiovascular (heart) events such as an abnormal heart rhythm which could be fatal.
Additional worldwide studies are still ongoing to assess the use of these agents for the treatment or prevention or COVID-19. However, the FDA states these drugs should not be used outside of clinical trials in the U.S.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) have also stopped studies evaluating hydroxychloroquine for the treatment of COVID-19 due to a lack of benefit. Current NIH and US treatment guidelines do not recommend use of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine phosphate for COVID-19 treatment outside of clinical studies.
Although earlier studies suggested that hydroxychloroquine could inhibit the SARs-CoV-2 virus and was more potent than chloroquine, recent studies do not support the use of hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine phosphate. The FDA stated on June 15, 2020 that the suggested dosing regimens for chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine are unlikely to kill or inhibit the virus that causes COVID-19.
Do studies show hydroxychloroquine is not effective for COVID-19?
Yes, multiple studies provide data that hydroxychloroquine is ineffective in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 disease.
The RECOVERY Trial from the University of Oxford is a large, randomized, controlled, open-label study evaluating a number of potential treatments for patients hospitalized with COVID-19. The study is being conducted by researchers at the University of Oxford in the UK (the hydroxychloroquine arm is now halted).
In the RECOVERY Trial, investigators reported that there was no beneficial effect or reduction of death in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 receiving hydroxychloroquine.
In this study, 1561 patients received hydroxychloroquine and were compared to 3155 patients receiving standard care only. No difference was found in the primary endpoint, which was the incidence of death at 28 days (26.8% hydroxychloroquine vs. 25% usual care, 95% CI 0.96-1.23; p=0.18).
In addition, hydroxychloroquine treatment was associated with an increased length of stay in the hospital and increased need for invasive mechanical ventilation.
Based on this data, investigators stopped enrollment in the RECOVERY hydroxychloroquine arm on June 5th, 2020.
In a multicenter, randomized, open-label, controlled trial published in July 2020 by Cavalcanti and colleagues in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), hydroxychloroquine use was studied in patients who were hospitalized with mild-to-moderate COVID-19.
Patients received hydroxychloroquine (400 mg twice daily for 7 days), hydroxychloroquine with azithromycin (hydroxychloroquine 400 mg twice daily + azithromycin 500 mg once daily for 7 days), or standard care only.
The clinical status of these patients at day 15 was not improved as compared with the patients receiving only standard care.
In addition, researchers noted that prolonged QT intervals (which may lead to abnormal heart rates and death) and elevated liver enzymes were higher in patients receiving hydroxychloroquine, either with or without azithromycin.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial from Skipper and colleagues was conducted in 423 outpatients (not in the hospital) with early COVID-19. It was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine in July 2020.
Patients received oral hydroxychloroquine (800 mg once, followed by 600 mg in 6 to 8 hours, then 600 mg daily for 4 more days) or a placebo (inactive treatment).
Researchers found that over a 14 day period a change in symptom severity and the percent of patients with ongoing symptoms did not differ significantly between groups, signaling no effect from the hydroxychloroquine treatment.
However, side effects were significantly greater in the group receiving hydroxychloroquine compared to placebo (43% hydroxychloroquine versus 22% placebo (P < 0.001). Rates of hospitalizations and deaths did not differ significantly.
In contrast, a retrospective, observational study conducted from March to early May of 2020 did report a positive effect with hydroxychloroquine on hospitalized patient mortality, used alone and with azithromycin when compared to no treatment. The study was published in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases in August 2020. Authors note a limitation to their analysis was the retrospective, non-randomized, non-blinded study design.
Researchers looked at 2,541 patients, with a median total hospitalization time of 6 days.
Mortality, by treatment, was 20.1% for hydroxychloroquine + azithromycin, 13.5% for hydroxychloroquine alone, 22.4% for azithromycin alone, and 26.4% for neither drug (p < 0.001). The primary cause of death was respiratory failure in 88% of patients.
Adjunct therapy with corticosteroids (methylprednisolone and/or prednisone) and anti-IL-6 tocilizumab was provided in 68% and 4.5% of patients, respectively.
Factors such as greater glucocorticoid use in the hydroxychloroquine groups and the nonrandomized study design suggested this data may be flawed and that prospective, randomized controlled studies were needed to validate these results.
Use of hydroxychloroquine is controversial, and has been politicized in the U.S. by some groups. Various studies have reported both a positive and negative effect, and data may not be robust: it may be nonrandomized, retrospective, observational or from a small sample size of patients.
Research for COVID is often quick to be published in non-peer reviewed, preprint online services due to the urgency of the pandemic. However, in general, preprint data should not be used to guide clinical practice. In addition, some hydroxychloroquine studies have been retracted due to lack of confidence in the data, including a Lancet study and one from the NEJM.
What is hydroxychloroquine used to treat?
Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine are FDA-approved drugs in the U.S. The EUA revocation for COVID-19 does not change their approved uses.
Hydroxychloroquine sulfate is approved to treat and prevent malaria, as well as for treatment of lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. Chloroquine phosphate is approved for the treatment and prevention of malaria only. The FDA has determined that these drugs are safe and effective when used as labeled for these conditions.
Hydroxychloroquine study for prevention after exposure to COVID-19
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study published online in the NEJM in June 2020 (Boulware, et al) looked at prevention of COVID-19 after exposure to the virus (post-exposure prophylaxis, or PEP).
Researchers evaluated over 800 people in the U.S. and Canada who had been exposed to COVID-19. The primary outcome was the incidence of either laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 or illness compatible with the virus within 14 days.
Hydroxychloroquine was given as 800 mg once, followed by 600 mg in 6 to 8 hours, then 600 mg daily for 4 additional days. Patients started treatment within 4 days after exposure, defined as being in close contact with a COVID-19 patient for more than 10 minutes without protection.
Results showed that hydroxychloroquine did not prevent COVID-19 when compared to a placebo (used as post-exposure prophylaxis). The incidence of COVID-19 did not differ significantly between those who took hydroxychloroquine (11.8%) and those who took placebo (14.3%).
Side effects were more common in the hydroxychloroquine group (40.1% compared to 16.8% with placebo), but were not reported as serious. Common adverse events included nausea, loose stools, and stomach pain.
Limitations in this study were many, and included inability to confirm self-reported COVID-19 exposure, adherence to study drug, starting drug up to 4 days after reported exposure to the virus, and enrollment of a lower-risk population.
I took hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19. Is it dangerous?
There are no known residual side effects for patients who received chloroquine phosphate or hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19 treatment under the emergency use authorization, as stated by the FDA.
However, you should never self-treat for COVID-19 disease with hydroxychloroquine or any other drug. Hydroxychloroquine has not been proven helpful for COVID-19 and may lead to stomach or heart side effects, as well as serious drug interactions.
On June 15, 2020 the FDA warned health care providers that the combined use of remdesivir (Veklury) and chloroquine phosphate or hydroxychloroquine sulfate is not recommended as it may result in reduced antiviral activity of remdesivir.
Veklury, an antiviral used to treat SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is now approved by the FDA. This drug interaction is outlined in product labeling for Veklury.
If you have concerns about any side effect or drug interaction with your medications, always contact your doctor or other health care provider for advice.
What treatments or vaccines are available to treat COVID-19?
Remdesivir (brand name: Veklury) from Gilead Sciences was approved by the FDA on October 22, 2020 as the first treatment for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 and has led to a worldwide pandemic. Veklury is a SARS-CoV-2 nucleotide analog RNA polymerase inhibitor, an antiviral agent that stops replication of the virus. Previously remdesivir was available only via an emergency use authorization (EUA) to treat COVID-19.
Veklury is approved for use in patients 12 years of age and older and weighing at least 40 kg (88 lb) for the treatment of COVID-19 who require hospitalization. It is given via intravenous infusion once daily for 5 to 10 days.
Veklury should only be administered in a hospital or in a healthcare setting capable of providing acute care comparable to inpatient hospital care.
Approval is based in part on results from the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 ACTT-1 trial with 1,062 hospitalized patients. This study demonstrated that patients receiving Veklury achieved clinical recovery 5 days faster than those receiving placebo (10 days versus 15 days). In patients who required oxygen support, clinical recovery was 7 days faster than those receiving placebo (11 days versus 18 days).
Overall, the odds of clinical improvement at Day 15 were also statistically significantly higher in the Veklury group when compared to the placebo group.
The incidence of adverse events associated with Veklury was similar to placebo in the ACTT-1 trial. The most common adverse reactions (≥5%) were nausea and increases in liver function tests (ALT and AST).
The FDA has also revised the pediatric Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for Veklury. Under the EUA, it can be used to treat suspected or laboratory confirmed COVID-19 in hospitalized pediatric patients weighing 3.5 kg (7.7 lb) to less than 40 kg (88 lb) OR hospitalized pediatric patients less than 12 years of age weighing at least 3.5 kg.
Dexamethasone, a corticosteroid drug that has been approved for over six decades, has been shown to statistically lower mortality from COVID-19, especially among patients receiving mechanical ventilation. In studies from the RECOVERY group, death occurred in 25.7% of patients in the usual care group and 22.9% in the dexamethasone group (P<0.001).
On Dec. 111, 2020 the FDA issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine. On Dec 14th, vaccine administration began in a rolling fashion for the most high-risk groups. Other vaccines candidates are expected to be available for 2021.
In August 2020, Russia announced it had approved a vaccine for COVID-19 prevention based on an adenovirus, similar to a vaccine being studied by AstraZeneca. However, the vaccine from Russia has not completed Phase 3 studies, prompting concern that the agent may not have been reviewed in enough people for safety or effectiveness. Phase 1 and 2 results were published in Lancet in Sept. 2020.
Learn more here: COVID-19: Prevention & Investigational Treatments
Bottom Line
The use of hydroxychloroquine in randomized trials for the treatment of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 has not been shown to have a benefit in reducing death.
In addition, concerns exist over the benefit of the drug compared to its safety risk, especially with regard to abnormal heart rhythms.
Multiple worldwide public health organizations, including the FDA, NIH and WHO have halted emergency use and studies of hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for hospitalized patients with COVID-19 based on studies showing a lack of effect and possible serious side effects.
Veklury (remsedivir) is now FDA-approved as an antiviral treatment for COVID-19, and dexamethasone, a corticosteroid agent, has shown a mortality benefit.
Link: https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/hydroxychloroquine-effective-covid-19-3536024/
What you copied from Drugs.com references multiple times a study that was rescinded, as also noted in the references of the AMA Resolution that Baron linked.
The use of hydroxychloroquine in randomized trials for the treatment of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 has not been shown to have a benefit in reducing death.
that's always been acknowledged by Baron, Dr. Risch, Dr. Fareed and others. And the use of hydroxychloroquine only in early-onset patients has been shown to be ineffective, as well.
What you are completely ignoring - and so does the link you provided - is that the COMBINATION of hydroxychloroquine/zinc/azithromycin, when given upon diagnosis well before potential hospitalization is necessary, has been proven to be incredibly effective to the point that it amounts to a virtual cure.
And cloth and surgical masks are totally useless, but the combination of N95 respirator masks plus face shield/goggles offers great protection to the wearer, so much so that our health professionals, led by the Great Fauchino, should have strongly recommended their use. By their failure to recommend such masks and drug treatment, the Great Fauchino and the FDA are guilty of the greatest case of medical malpractice in this country's history.
You are missing the point of the resolution, which is that they are now allowing doctors to prescribe this as a hopeful treatment so that people don't end up in the hospital. It does not argue that the treatment would save the life of someone who is already hospitalized in Phase 2 or 3 of the disease, this is to keep you out of those phases altogether.
31 Whereas, During the early infection phase (Stage 1), the virus multiplies inside the body and is
32 likely to cause mild symptoms that may be confused with a common cold or flu
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27 Whereas, A proposed regimen to treat COVID-19 for Stage 1, includes 10 days of
28 hydroxychloroquine, Azithromycin, zinc, and on occasion Vitamin D (6); and
29
30 Whereas, This regimen is not being advocated for Stage 2 and Stage 3 COVID therapy
I pulled out those specific snippets for you to show why your argument that it does not reduce death in hospitalized patients has nothing to do with what is in the resolution.
That troll Fauci should be strung from a tree.
I wonder if Sanjay Gupta will report this story? Or any of the other on cable news.
Probably too busy concocting their explanation of why those 70k deaths are still Trump's fault.
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