A Randomized Trial of Hydroxychloroquine as Postexposure Prophylaxis for Covid-19
RCT (n=821 asymptomatic) found after high/moderate-risk exposure to Covid-19, hydroxychloroquine did not prevent illness compatible with Covid-19 or confirmed infection vs. placebo (incidence 11.8 vs. 14.3%, respectively) within 4 days after exposure, and was linked to more ADRs.
Source:
New England Journal of Medicine
SPS commentary:
An editorial discusses the trials’ many limitations, acknowledged by the investigators, and the implications of their findings. It notes the advocacy and widespread use of hydroxychloroquine seem to reflect a reasonable fear of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and it would appear that to some extent the media and social forces, rather than medical evidence, are driving clinical decisions and the global Covid-19 research agenda (in June 2020, there are 203 Covid-19 trials with hydroxychloroquine, 60 of which were focused on prophylaxis). It suggests that the current findings are more provocative than definitive.