Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

July 17, 2020

Hydroxychloroquine in Nonhospitalized Adults With Early COVID-19: A Randomized Trial

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  • Skipper et al. report findings of a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial of oral hydroxychloroquine (800mg once, followed by 600mg in 6-8 hours, then 600mg daily for 4 days) among symptomatic non–hospitalized adults with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 or probable COVID-19 (n=423). Patients in the hydroxychloroquine arm had a non-significantly lower probability of ongoing symptoms at 14 days (24% versus 30%; p=0.21). There were 5 events of hospitalization and/or death within 14 days among the hydroxychloroquine arm compared to 10 events in the placebo arm (p=0.29). 
  • Risk of medication-related adverse effects was significantly higher in the hydroxychloroquine arm (43% versus 22%), with gastrointestinal effects being most commonly reported and no serious adverse events attributable to hydroxychloroquine. 

Skipper et al. (July 2020). Hydroxychloroquine in Nonhospitalized Adults With Early COVID-19: A Randomized Trial. Annals of Internal Medicine. https://doi.org/10.7326/M20-4207