Antimalarial drug as a treatment for coronavirus

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As the coronavirus continues to take a widespread toll on the health of the population throughout the country, we continue to extend our gratitude and support to everyone trying to help and find a solution. While the frontline staff of the medical industry works tirelessly to provide care to those infected, the immunologists and virologists focus their efforts on identifying the most effective treatment options. Dr. Armin Tehrany is closely following the development of several ongoing studies about coronavirus treatment. Particularly, the research conducted at his alma mater, the NYU School of medicine, has got his attention. The study focuses on testing an antimalarial drug commonly used as a treatment for autoimmune diseases.
 
“I just read a study on CNBC suggesting that my alma mater, NYU medical center, is going to, hopefully, complete a research study looking at hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for the coronavirus,” Dr. Tehrany says in his latest video.
While he is optimistic about the outcome, Dr. Tehrany admits that, based on the information available so far, it is still challenging to form precise expectations for the final result.
“There is a lot of research out there that I have read with conflicting results. Some suggest a very high rate of success with hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin, others showing not so good results. We need a randomized control study, which NYU and the University of Washington are doing, which is great,” Dr. Tehrany additionally explains. 
The study enrolls 2,000 volunteers in an eight-week trial across six testing sites. If the study goes as expected, the trial could confirm the safety and effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine by the summer of 2020. However, Dr. Tehrany has concerns that hydroxychloroquine may not be a viable solution for patients with underlying health conditions who are most susceptible to COVID-19.
“There are some risks with taking these medicines, especially in older people,” Dr. Tehrany shares.
Despite these potential shortcomings, Dr. Tehrany continues to remain focused on the potential usefulness of hydroxychloroquine.
“I am really encouraged by the fact that we might be able to get some results in the next month, and if that is the case, we could be looking at some great treatments, and that will really be helpful,” Dr. Tehrany concludes.
Dr. Tehrany will continue to monitor the developments of this specific study, and he will share vital information as he receives it. Moreover, he and his team remain committed to providing quality orthopedic care to the patients who need it.  If you are experiencing any shoulder and knee problems, contact us to schedule a Telemedicine appointment right away.