There are reports chloroquine (Plaquenil), a drug prescribed for severe autoimmune rheumatoid arthritis and malaria, may be effective in quelling coronavirus infections. Chloroquine is said to inhibit coronavirus infection. Authorities are attempting to gain early approval of this arthritis drug for coronavirus. The drug is prescription only, but there are efforts to obtain it via Canadian pharmacies.
Chloroquine is a nasty drug with a long list of horrendous or chronic side effects, in particular unremitting nausea and diarrhea. While reports say this prescription drug has rare side effects, in actual use it is very problematic. It should not be used for coronavirus infections as side effects may be more troublesome than the infection.
Potential chloroquine side effects:
- Anxiety
- attempts at killing oneself
- back, leg, or stomach pains
- black, tarry stools
- bleeding gums
- blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
- blood in the urine or stools
- blurred or decreased vision
- change in near or distance vision
- chest discomfort or pain
- chills
- cold sweats
- confusion
- continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
- cough
- dark urine
- diarrhea
- difficulty in focusing the eyes
- difficulty with speaking
- difficulty with swallowing
- disturbed color perception
- dizziness
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- double vision
- drooling
- fast, slow, irregular, or pounding heartbeat
- feeling that others are watching you or controlling your behavior
- feeling that others can hear your thoughts
- feeling, seeing, or hearing things that are not there
- fever
- general tiredness and weakness
- halos around lights
- headache
- hearing loss
- inability to move the eyes
- increased blinking or spasms of the eyelid
- joint or muscle pain
- large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
- light-colored stools
- loss of balance control
- lower back or side pain
- muscle trembling, jerking, or stiffness
- muscular pain, tenderness, wasting, or weakness
- night blindness
- nausea
- overbright appearance of lights
- painful or difficult urination
- pale skin
- pinpoint red spots on the skin
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- red skin lesions, often with a purple center
- red, irritated eyes
- restlessness
- shuffling walk
- skin rash, hives, or itching
- sore throat
- sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
- sticking out of the tongue
- stiffness of the limbs
- sweating
- swollen or painful glands
- tightness in the chest
- trouble breathing
- tunnel vision
- twitching, twisting, or uncontrolled repetitive movements of the tongue, lips, face, arms, or legs
- uncontrolled movements, especially of the face, neck, and back
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- upper right abdominal or stomach pain
- vomiting
- yellow eyes and skin
- Cold, clammy skin
- decreased urine
- drowsiness
- dry mouth
- fast, weak pulse
- increased thirst
- lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
- loss of appetite
- muscle pain or cramps
- numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
- Change in hair color
- hair loss
- increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
- redness or other discoloration of the skin
- severe sunburn
- stomach cramps
- trouble sleeping
- weight loss
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