Why HCQ andIvermectin were removed from India’s Covid-19 treatment protocol
Ivermectin and HCQ were dropped from theclinical guidance after studies found that these drugs have little to no effecton Covid-related mortality or clinical recovery of the patient.
New Delhi
September 26, 2021
UPDATED: September 26, 2021
The Indian Council of MedicalResearch (ICMR) and the National Task Force on Covid-19 have dropped the use ofIvermectin and Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) drugs from their revised guidelines forthe treatment of the infection.
The decision was taken after experts found that these drugs havelittle to no effect on Covid-related mortality or clinical recovery of thepatient.
“HCQ may be considered for removal from guideline, withrecommendation to use with caution only in clinical trial setting (since thereis some genuine uncertainty regarding the possible benefit for severe cases andin low dose),” said the document titled ‘considerations for exclusion ofIvermectin and Hydroxychloroquine from the clinical guidance for management ofadult Covid-19 patients’.
Several clinical studies have shown the low mortality benefit forHCQ, said the document. In fact, when HCQ is administered with azithromycin, itincreases the risk of adverse drug effect (ADE) in patients, experts said.
