See additional new information, August 1, below.
Update: Consider a story in the Detroit News, on July 2. It stated, regarding a recent study through the Henry Ford Health System: "The study analyzed 2,541 patients hospitalized among the system’s six hospitals between March 10 and May 2 and found 13% of those treated with hydroxychloroquine died while 26% of those who did not receive the drug died...Patients with a median age of 64 were among those analyzed, with 51% men and 56% African American. Roughly 82% of the patients began receiving hydroxychloroquine within 24 hours and 91% within 48 hours, a factor Dr. Marcus Zervos identified as a potential key to the medication’s success...Other studies, Zervos noted, included different populations or were not peer-reviewed..."Our dosing also differed from other studies not showing a benefit of the drug,” he said. "We also found that using steroids early in the infection associated with a reduction in mortality." (Check out additional updates, below this post.)
Those of you who know me are aware that I try to steer clear of political issues. My main focus in this blog has always been on education. My personal view is that health should be apolitical; I am only posting this--reluctantly-- with the best of intentions to help others by disseminating potentially life-saving information. Please do not shoot the messenger! In these difficult times, I count on your own judgement to determine the best course of action for your own family.
Today, the FDA came out and approved the anti-malarial drug, hydroxychloroquine (it is said to be safer than the older drug chloroquine), for Covid-19. See https://nypost.com/2020/03/30/fda-approves-limited-use-of-malaria-drugs-for-coronavirus/--even outside of a clinical trial or study. From what I've read so far, hydroxychloroquine works best along with zinc and z-pack--also known as azithromycin (antibiotic, as many if not most of the severely ill lungs contain bacteria). Unfortunately, for now, the FDA is only recommending it for hospitalized patients.
Hydroxychloroquine seems to be most effective if used as early as possible to avoid acute respiratory distress syndrome, according to the Jewish doctor in NY (https://forward.com/news/national/442285/coronavirus-hydroxychloroquine-trump-doctor/). Here is some general information about using anti-malarial drugs such as hydroxychloroquine to inhibit a virus: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31936284. This shows CDC link advises regarding possible dosing: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/therapeutic-options.html.
I'm not a doctor, (and I do not even play one on TV) and can't give medical advice, but if I became ill with an "untreatable" disease such as Covid-19, I would want to try IV vitamin C. I would ask for it if hospitalized, as it has been shown to help also. It certainly seems better than doing nothing, and ending up on a respirator with damaged lungs--or worse.
What to do, if I suspect I might be sick, but I am not yet diagnosed through testing? Again, I am not a doctor, but I would try the supplement quercetin (from pineapple), which studies show may have anti-viral properties (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4728566/), to push the zinc into cells. I would add extra zinc, Vitamin D3, and vitamin C, also, while at home. Love to all; Stay well!
July 28. 2020 Update: A Reluctant Virus Post
After several negative studies (reported to use excessively large doses of hydroxychloroquine as well as not including the zinc protocol) apparently FDA no longer recommends it. At least one negative study in particular has been withdrawn from publication. See American Council on Science and Health article.) However, HARVEY A. RISCH, MD, PHD , PROFESSOR OF EPIDEMIOLOGY, YALE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, states, regarding treating Covid-19 with hydroxycholoquine combined with the antibiotics azithromycin or doxycycline and the nutritional supplement zinc, as reported in Newsweek:
"Since publication of my May 27 article, seven more studies have demonstrated similar benefit. In a lengthy follow-up letter, also published by AJE, I discuss these seven studies and renew my call for the immediate early use of hydroxychloroquine in high-risk patients. These seven studies include: an additional 400 high-risk patients treated by Dr. Vladimir Zelenko, with zero deaths; four studies totaling almost 500 high-risk patients treated in nursing homes and clinics across the U.S., with no deaths; a controlled trial of more than 700 high-risk patients in Brazil, with significantly reduced risk of hospitalization and two deaths among 334 patients treated with hydroxychloroquine; and another study of 398 matched patients in France, also with significantly reduced hospitalization risk. Since my letter was published, even more doctors have reported to me their completely successful use.
Also relevant: Dr. Stella Immanuel (Emergency Medicine Specialist in Katy, Texas, who graduated with honors in 1990 and has more than 30 years of diverse experiences)talks about her experience treating COVID-19 patients with Hydroxychloroquine, Zinc, and Zithromax. “You want a double blinded study where people are dying? It’s unethical.”
I found further corroborating information through TribuneinIndia, The article stated:
"A combination of hydroxychloroquine, vitamin and zinc tablets along with homeopathic medicines apart from separate medical facilities for policemen and women who contract Covid-19 has helped control the virus among the uniformed personnel, according to officials here...So far 71 people from Dharavi, the country's largest slum, have died from the virus. However there have been no deaths from this area in the last week. More than 1900 people tested positive for the virus here, according to health department officials."
My great hope is that lives will be saved, so it might be a good idea to consider this information also:
Clinical trials of hydroxychloroquine in COVID-19 outpatients reported as safe, by Dr. Liji Thomas, MD, Jul 27 2020,
The article states: "According to new research published in the preprint server medRxiv* in July 2020, the use of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) among outpatients in clinical trials, without high-risk factors for cardiac arrhythmia, is safe, with gastrointestinal side-effects being the most common side effects and no fatal adverse outcomes...As the COVID-19 pandemic continues all around the world, with over 630,000 deaths so far, scientific research has focused on finding effective medications against the virus..HCQ has been demonstrated to have in vitro antiviral activity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes COVID-19 disease, and hinders its replication. However, correspondingly strong evidence of its activity in the treatment or prevention of this disease has not been found so far...Earlier research has reported an increase in the reported incidence of cardiac side effects with the use of HCQ and azithromycin in combination. This led to the revocation of the Emergency Authorization issued by the US Food and Drug Authority (FDA) for the use of HCQ in severely ill COVID-19 patients...Most of these episodes in the context of HCQ use have been when the drug was used with another arrhythmogenic drug, used for an extended period or at excessive doses...However, HCQ has been in clinical use, and when used as per the guidelines, for people without such issues, it is a useful drug in multiple disciplines and has been used in autoimmune rheumatic conditions. Baseline laboratory tests or ECG monitoring are rarely carried out in most cases..." (Read more at the article, as it contains much detail and helpful information.)
Finally, consider a story in the Detroit News, on July 2, stated, regarding a recent study through the Henry Ford Health System: "The study analyzed 2,541 patients hospitalized among the system’s six hospitals between March 10 and May 2 and found 13% of those treated with hydroxychloroquine died while 26% of those who did not receive the drug died...Patients with a median age of 64 were among those analyzed, with 51% men and 56% African American. Roughly 82% of the patients began receiving hydroxychloroquine within 24 hours and 91% within 48 hours, a factor Dr. Marcus Zervos identified as a potential key to the medication’s success...Other studies, Zervos noted, included different populations or were not peer-reviewed..."Our dosing also differed from other studies not showing a benefit of the drug,” he said. "We also found that using steroids early in the infection associated with a reduction in mortality."
Additional Update, July 29
Too much research; too little time! My only intent in posting this information is to save lives if possible. In responding to comments regarding my original post, I’ve encountered additional resources to share: Note that the following report mentions "excessive doses" used in some research studies. It seems logical to expect that excessive--possibly even toxic--doses might negatively affect the outcome.
Clinical trials of hydroxychloroquine in COVID-19 outpatients reported as safe, by Dr. Liji Thomas, MD, Jul 27 2020, reports: "According to new research published in the preprint server medRxiv* in July 2020, the use of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) among outpatients in clinical trials, without high-risk factors for cardiac arrhythmia, is safe, with gastrointestinal side-effects being the most common side effects and no fatal adverse outcomes...Earlier research has reported an increase in the reported incidence of cardiac side effects with the use of HCQ and azithromycin in combination. This led to the revocation of the Emergency Authorization issued by the US Food and Drug Authority (FDA) for the use of HCQ in severely ill COVID-19 patients...Most of these episodes in the context of HCQ use have been when the drug was used with another arrhythmogenic drug, used for an extended period or at excessive doses...However, HCQ has been in clinical use, and when used as per the guidelines, for people without such issues, it is a useful drug in multiple disciplines and has been used in autoimmune rheumatic conditions. Baseline laboratory tests or ECG monitoring are rarely carried out in most cases..." (I suggest clicking on the link to read more at the article, as it contains much detail and helpful information.)
In an accepted manuscript in The American Journal of Epidemiology, Early Outpatient Treatment of Symptomatic, High-Risk Covid-19 Patients that Should be Ramped-Up Immediately as Key to the Pandemic Crisis, Harvey A Risch states:
"Five studies, including two controlled clinical trials, have demonstrated significant major outpatient treatment efficacy. Hydroxychloroquine+azithromycin has been used as standard-of-care in more than 300,000 older adults with multicomorbidities, with estimated proportion diagnosed with cardiac arrhythmias attributable to the medications 47/100,000 users, of which estimated mortality is <20%, 9/100,000 users, compared to the 10,000 Americans now dying each week. These medications need to be widely available and promoted immediately for physicians to prescribe."
When evaluating studies, also consider that the Lancet, New England Journal retracted Covid-19 studies, including one that raised safety concerns about malaria drugs (such as hydroxychloroquine).
As of this date, studies which use high (in some cases, possibly toxic) hydroxychloroquine doses on the sickest patients (in comparison to a group with less comorbidities and do not include the essential zinc, which would cause the study to show inconclusive or negative results. However, other studies (which include zinc) indicate positive results if the drug is started early in the disease. (For more details, see C19Study, as well as Omni Journal (OMNIJ).
I try to view issues from all sides, here is a view from left field (note--language warning) regarding the hydroxychloroquine narrative, from a liberal perspective: https://medium.com/@filiperafaeli/hydroxychloroquine-the-narrative-that-doesnt-work-is-the-biggest-hoax-in-recent-human-history-2685487ad717.
On a related note, although early reports suggested that steroids should not be used in Covid-19, recent studies show promise for helping the sickest patients, who are already experiencing shortness of breath, using common drugs (Ivermectin, Budesonide, as well as steroid inhalers). As you choose the best treatment for your family, keep in mind that there is always risk associated with all medications—even aspirin. Hopefully, each of us will have the freedom to decide, along with our physician, what is the best course of treatment, if it becomes necessary. If I was experiencing severe symptoms from Covid-19, especially shortness of breath, I would likely try everything possible to avoid a ventilator (with 88% chance of death). Hydroxychloroquine and Budesonide have been around a long, line time--long enough to be generic medications with little financial incentive attached to promoting them.
Disclaimer: Call it confirmation bias, but I would much prefer to choose an already available, inexpensive, and well tested drug, as opposed to no treatment at all. I find little comfort in the prospect of an unproven, highly profitable (for the industry—see Remdesivir) drug or not yet available or barely tested vaccine. (Note that anti-viral (failed Ebola drug) Remdesivir has not been shown to statistically lower death rates, and is already demonstrating dangerous side effects such as kidney failure (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1201971220305282)--so that isn't much help, is it? (This article states, regarding Gilead's “Remdesivir - the only drug approved by US authorities: "It is a good drug, but we are disappointed because, if it were associated with a reduction in mortality, it would be better." Note: you will need to translate the article.)
Despite some controversial studies regarding treatment, it seems obvious that it pays to do what we can to strengthen our immune systems. Unfortunately, some of us may already be vulnerable, due to health conditions. I recommend checking any of your current prescriptions, as information indicates medications such as ACE inhibitors, diuretics, and proton pump inhibitors (PPI--such as Prilosec) reduce zinc in the body—making one more susceptible to viruses. As always, find a doctor you can trust, and discuss your concerns.
For now, thank God, our family is well—but continuing to do my best to strengthen our immune systems, supplementing our diet with zinc, vitamin C, D, and quercetin (as a zinc ionophore—to transport it into cells), just in case. When it comes to fighting this epidemic, I like to quote from one of my favorite flicks:
"Never give up; never surrender!"
New information, August 1
Regarding Dr, Fauci claiming that hydroxychlorquine (HCQ) did not have double blind randomized study, and is therefore useless, it seems he has promoted anti-viral Remdesivir (a failed Ebola drug from Gilead) on much scantier evidence. Also, now anti-HCQers (many who stand to benefit from expensive anti-virals) will be saying conclusively that HCQ has no benefit due to this new observational study, Hydroxychloroquine in Nonhospitalized Adults With Early COVID-19.
Why am I linking to the study? In the interest of saving lives if possible, everyone should be fully informed, and able to make the best choice for their family. I suggest evaluating the truth for yourself, and as always, discussing your health needs with your trusted physician.
Limitations, questionable elements and problems with this study include:
1. The abstract itself states that 50% (4 on HCQ versus 8 on placebo) less people on HCQ were hospitalized versus people on placebo. It kept people out of the hospital--why is that not a benefit? Let’s say that is not statistically significant, so it is discounted. If so, then the whole study is also questionable. The authors of the study admit: "The primary limitation of our trial is the lack of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in all participants..." Also, it seems to be a very small study, with sketchy "self-reported" symptoms from participants, recruited over the internet--we do not know who really had or did not actually have Covid-19, as they enrolled patients who did not have a confirmed test but only "symptoms". The justified this by claiming that testing is unavailable.
2. This was a study of younger patients, who are not most at risk of hospitalization or death. This is comparing apples and oranges, if you try and relate this to studies that show a positive benefit for HCQ, for patients who are much older and at risk.
3. Also, (like other negative HCQ studies) where is the zinc and antibiotic such as azithromycin, which HCQ protocols such as Zelenko's recommendation (Download the free book here: https://files.internetprotocol.co/ebook-covid-19.pdf)?
4. Finally, (like other negative HCQ studies) the dosages seem high (possibly toxic), compared to what is recommended elsewhere in studies which showed positive results. The study dosages: "Hydroxychloroquine was prescribed at 800 mg (4 tablets) once, then 600 mg (3 tablets) 6 to 8 hours later, then 600 mg (3 tablets) once daily for 4 more days (5 days in total)." (Zelenko recommends Hydroxychloroquine 200mg twice a day for five days combined with Azithromycin 500mg once a day for five days and Zinc sulfate 220mg once a day for five days.
But, who am I to say—I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV. However, to me, the conclusion of this study, that says HCQ doesn't reduce severity of symptoms of an unverified illness (vaguely resembling either a cold, influenza, or possibly even allergies), matters not one whit. Personally, I would prefer a genuinely unbiased study that shows what prevents Covid-19 (verified by testing) deaths. One wonders why this issue seems to be so politicized—could there be a profit motive? Certainly not for the decades old HCQ treatment, which I'm told costs about $20. If you'd like to read some of the "peer review" comments to the editor regarding this study, peruse the comments at the end of the link, above. May God bless you, and your family. And may America bless God!