Preparations for self-treating COVID-19
The mortality rate of the aged population from COVID-19 is very high, around 20% for the over-80 group of which I and my wife are members. Further, if medical facilities are limited and physicians are forced to make triage decisions, the 80+ will be last in line. Therefore, it seems prudent to be prepared to self-medicate in case COVID-19 symptoms should appear. How can this be done?
A French group has done a rather limited study (LINK) of COVID-19 patients indicating that administering the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine (dose: 200 mg, three/day) in combination with the antibiotic azithromycin (dose: 500 mg for day 1, then 250 mg/day for next 4 days) produces spectacular recoveries. The graph below shows their results:
On this basis, I have ordered 30 x 200 mg hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) tablets and 60 x 250 mg azithromycin (Zithromax) tablets from pharmacies in India. I hope I never have to use them for me or my family, but it seems prudent to be prepared.
88 replies
-
Some suggest taking chloroquine as a profylactic. As if you were to go into an area were there is great risk for chloroquine-sensitive malaria. A profylactic approach is an option for people in high risk groups, at least if it gets really bad. Or if you have to be close to people that has COVID19 and you can not distance yourself in a safe way. For instance if someone close to you gets a mild form and still is at home needing your help. or if you work in hospital and they run out of qualified protective gear.
-
First, chloroquine (recently promoted by Trump) has some known negative side effects like liver damage and macular degeneration of the eyes that would be best to avoid. Also, there was a report that even a dose of about 1,000 mg of chloroquine can be fatal.
It's derivative hydroxychloroquine, which was used in the French study and which I ordered, has reduced side effects and perhaps is safer. In any case, I would avoid taking either unless I was developing COVID-19 symptoms.
-
My wife has been taking Plaquenil for 15 years 400 mg/day. Risk is possible vision problems but these are supposed to occur only after 5 years of daily usage. She has stockpiled some since we travel full time and don’t have access to pharmacies all the time.
I think it’s a lot safer than some therapies users in this group try.
-
JGC - could you perhaps share the link to the pharmacies in India where you purchased these two items? Ditto on not using them unless you're developing COVID-19 symptoms.
-
David Sinclaire say that metformin is on the list of drugs for potential COVID-19 drugs. Don't know what he backs up this idea with. But at least it means that metformin is not on the list of drugs that could make Covid-19 disease worse.
-
azithromycin will only attack open cells, remdesivir will actually do something, antibiotics will only attack bacteria or virus casings that match bacterial binding sites,
azithromycin is only to protect against bacteria taking advantage of weakened state due to viral infection, azithromycin is a red herring when looking to protect a healthy patient. keep your zinc uptake globulins healthy with vitamin d3 and hope a serum antigen and vaccine are on the way!
-
The word "final" is illusive. Few things are "final" word. Few drugs offer exclusion from complications. That observation offered; US policy has to recognize that maybe all US citizens and even the 12 or so millions of illegals need tested multiple times? Perhaps public policy needs to work toward a polio vaccination approach where a anti-virus sugar cube is passed out to car loads of people (the masses)? What are we looking at? 360 + 12 or so million people to vaccinate. That's a long line. Logistics are nationally challenging; globally even more so. Our government and the scientific community at large appear to need follow numerous paths-approaches at once: dodge the immediate bullet; decrease severity via immune strength actions/drugs/whatever; improved care and care equipment and staff safety; and shots, sugar cube dispensing of vaccine or whatever to prevent and aid cure & increased survival probability. Some agency should be chasing down effectiveness of whatever is proposed by whomever. It appears that the FDA isn't philosophically attuned to quick discovery. That policy deficiency appears self evident in that it refuses to recognize aging as a disease. Logically a credible National anti-aging plan would include rapid response to viruses; etc.? Both COVID-19 and aging diseases are global; the remedy must be applied globally. Otherwise; COVID-19 cycles and mutates too rapidly. Apparently, the mystery of re-infection is not solved. The numbers of potential infected and dead are disturbingly profound. People with more voice, $ and smarts than I need to scream loudly and long. Too many leaders are deaf at the global top leadership levels. Aging and COVID-19 are lethal and are diseases that must be remedied. Given the virus is mutating; perhaps better government perspective and support is needed. Perhaps it is also time to scream for anti-aging remedy? Who dares to scream for a sugar cube approach loaded with drug and/or some concoction to prevent and cure COVID-19 and/or aging? I see no government plan with tasks, milestones, schedules, figures of merit; priorities; specific budgets; clear assignments, an organized Manhattan Project approach; etc. It appears the answer to your noble question is outside my budget. Maybe we need to scream louder? For sure this horribly infectous virus won't go poof mid April. Scream???? This isn't political; it is in observation that no credible plan exist. Organization is haphazard. Where is the National Plan? Where is the budget; tasks, actions, milestones, schedules, assignees; etc.?? If we can get that up for public comment; maybe your answer will come forth? Sadly; no nation appears to have a public plan for remedy.
-
The original French study showed good results, although the study was small. A second French study claims good results but thorough review of it shows only questionable results. A Chinese study with the same 2 drugs showed no effect.
something to consider before you start taking meds with potentially serious and permanent side effects.