Malaria drug for corona prevention?

Lisa Weidner studied German and sociology and completed several journalistic internships. She is a volunteer at Hubert Burda Media Verlag and writes for the "Meine Familie und Ich" magazine and on nutrition and health topics.

More about the experts All content is checked by medical journalists.

According to his own account, US President Donald Trump takes the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine to protect himself from the corona pandemic. However, this is tricky: The drug can have serious side effects - and so far there is no scientific evidence of its effectiveness against Covid-19.

Like the closely related chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine is also used to treat quartana malaria and certain autoimmune diseases. In several studies, scientists are currently investigating a possible benefit of this preparation in Covid-19.

no evidence of prophylactic effect

However, the research is not yet sufficiently advanced to make a final assessment. "There is absolutely no evidence that prophylactic use would work," says virologist Prof. Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit. Studies are currently in progress, but they have not yet produced any valid data and have not yet been scientifically evaluated independently. The physician conducts research at the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM) in Hamburg, among others.

For example, two studies from China and France from the beginning of May with 150 and 180 subjects, respectively, found no influence of hydroxychloroquine on the course of Covid. A US study of around 370 men in April even found that the death rate was significantly higher in those patients who received the malaria drug. However, they also had particularly severe Covid 19 symptoms.

Warning: Do not use without a prescription

According to Schmidt-Chanasit, the side effects of the preparation have been well researched. The US Food and Drug Administration speaks of an increased risk of cardiac arrhythmias. The Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) writes that it can also impair liver and kidney function in certain patients, lead to epileptic seizures or cause blood sugar levels to be too low.

"Conversely, that does not mean that it is a dangerous drug," says Schmidt-Chanasit. The BfArM warns against taking the drug without a prescription or medical supervision. (lw / dpa)

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