November 25, 2020

A Cluster-Randomized Trial of Hydroxychloroquine for Prevention of Covid-19

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Testing and Treatment

Keywords (Tags): treatment

• An open-label, cluster-randomized trial of healthy contacts of patients with PCR–confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in Spain found that hydroxychloroquine did not prevent infection or symptomatic COVID-19 in these individuals. The incidence of PCR-confirmed, symptomatic COVID-19 was similar between those who received hydroxychloroquine and those who received usual care (5.7% and 6.2%, respectively; RR = 0.86). Hydroxychloroquine was also not associated with a lower incidence of SARS-CoV-2 transmission (18.7% and 17.8%, respectively). The incidence of adverse events was higher in the hydroxychloroquine group than in the usual-care group (56.1% vs. 5.9%).

Mitjà et al. (Nov 24, 2020). A Cluster-Randomized Trial of Hydroxychloroquine for Prevention of Covid-19. New England Journal of Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2021801