(Reuters) - Major hospitals in New York, Louisiana and other areas hit hardest by the coronavirus outbreak are routinely using hydroxychloroquine on patients hospitalized with COVID-19, though robust evidence on whether it works is weeks, if not months, away.
Hydroxychloroquine is a treatment for malaria and autoimmune diseases in use since the 1950's. The related drug chloroquine has been in use even longer, but is considered to be less safe. The drugs can have serious side effects, including vision loss, heart problems or even death, if used incorrectly.