Chloroquine / Hydroxychloroquine: Pharmacological view of an old drug currently used in COVID-19 treatment
Drugs that have been proven to be significantly harmless, and whose pharmacokinetics and optimal dosage are well known are subject to re-research for new indications since drug repositioning studies have been accelerated. Today, clinically proven treatment or vaccine has yet to be established against SARS-CoV-2, which caused the pandemic. In the treatment of COVID-19 disease, the treatment potential of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine has drawn considerable attention. In this review, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, the information about use and safety in special populations, and particularly data on efficacy and safety in SARS-CoV-2 infection regarding recent studies of chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine, an old drug that is currently used in the treatment of COVID-19 is presented. Although chloroquine / hydroxychloroquine ranks first in the treatment algorithms of COVID-19 disease, more randomized controlled clinical trials are also required.