A recommendation for the use of chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, primaquine, or tafenoquine for prophylaxis against the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) with note to the ophthalmic considerations

Fouad Alshaban

Abstract


With the ongoing pandemic of infectious disease termed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the novel coronavirus identified as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), prevention of infection and spread is critical in preventing morbidity and mortality.  Prophylaxis, specifically chemoprophylaxis, is particularly critical to breaking the spread and rapid rate of increase of SARS-CoV-2.  Pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis are both required components of this public health measure.  As the use of anti-malarial agents, specifically the 4-aminoquinolones, chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 is now being reported, attention must be turned to their role in the chemoprophylaxis of SARS-CoV-2.  In a search of the peer-reviewed medical literature (using MEDLINE and cross-referenced literature), this report is first peer-reviewed publication to present the use of these anti-malarial agents as prophylaxis against SARS-CoV-2.  The ophthalmic consideration of the use of these drugs is highlighted in this report.

Keywords


coronavirus, novel coronavirus, coronavirus 2, SARS-CoV-2, 19-CoV, COVID-19, COVID, chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, primaquine, tafenoquine, quinine, 4-aminoquinoline, 8-aminioquinoline, aminoquinolines, Aralen, Plaquenil, Krintafel, Arakoda, Remaquin

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.16964/er.v6i1.99

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