### Can Chloroquine Be Used to Treat COVID-19 Effectively? Scientists worldwide are exploring ways to combat COVID-19. One question is whether chloroquine, an antimalarial drug, can be effective against the coronavirus. However, the COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines Panel advises against using chloroquine and its less-toxic derivative, hydroxychloroquine, for treating COVID-19 patients. This recommendation follows the FDA's concerns about the safety and efficacy of these drugs after initial studies suggested they might help prevent hospitalization. Chloroquine is a low-cost drug that has been used for decades, primarily to treat malaria, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis. It was first discovered in 1934 and is a synthetic version of quinine, derived from the bark of the cinchona tree. Chloroquine is taken orally as a pill. While chloroquine has been known to kill viruses in lab settings since the 1960s, its effectiveness in treating viral infections in humans is less clear. Studies on influenza and dengue showed no significant effects, and research on chikungunya suggested it might worsen the illness. Researchers have also studied hydroxychloroquine's effects on COVID-19 patients. Some early studies showed potential benefits, but many trials were halted due to lack of results or serious side effects. Chloroquine can cause mild side effects like stomach upset, headache, poor appetite, diarrhea, stomach pain, skin rash, itching, hair loss, and mood changes. More severe side effects include eye and ear problems, muscle weakness, drowsiness, vomiting, convulsions, irregular heartbeat, and breathing issues. Overdosing on chloroquine can lead to life-threatening heart problems and immune system suppression. Therefore, it should only be taken under a doctor's supervision. Top experts do not recommend using chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19 because the risks outweigh the potential benefits. While there was hope that chloroquine might reduce the duration of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 symptoms, it was found to pose serious risks, including heart rhythm problems, blood and lymph system disorders, kidney injuries, and liver issues.