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Study: Hydroxychloroquine no better than placebo in preventing COVID-19

The trial found 12% of people who took hydroxychloroquine developed symptoms, as opposed to 14% on the placebo.

The results of a University of Minnesota trial indicate that hydroxychloroquine has no benefit over a placebo in preventing COVID-19.

The study was the first randomized clinical trial testing the drug for post-exposure prevention of the coronavirus.

The results will be published today in the New England Journal of Medicine. The trial found that hydroxychloroquine was not able to prevent subjects from developing COVID-19 any more than a placebo.

Forty percent of trial participants taking hydroxychloroquine also developed non-serious side effects like nausea, upset stomach and diarrhea.

No serious side effects were found from using the drug.

The trial launched on March 17, with the purpose of finding out whether taking hydroxychloroquine could prevent a healthy person from getting infected after being exposed to the virus. A total of 821 adults in the U.S. and Canada, who had been exposed in their household or through work as first responders or in health care, enrolled.

BREAKING: The University of Minnesota has just released information on a newly published Hydroxychloroquine trial. We’re breaking it down with Dr. David Boulware, who led the trials. https://www.kare11.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/study-hydroxychloroquine-no-better-than-placebo-in-preventing-covid-19/89-6e0c1e7b-8ab8-4fe4-8532-50ea1eeda3f7

Posted by Kent Erdahl on Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Half of the people in the trial received hydroxychloroquine for five days, while the other half received a placebo. None of the participants knew which they had gotten. They were followed for two weeks to see who developed symptoms.

Overall, approximately 12% of the people who'd taken hydroxychloroquine developed COVID-19, versus 14% given the placebo.

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"This was not a statistical difference, and even if there was a statistical difference, this would equate to treating 42 persons with hydroxychloroquine in order to prevent one infection," the U of M's press release stated.

“Our objective was to answer the question of whether hydroxychloroquine worked to prevent disease or did not work,” the trial's senior investigator Dr. David Boulware said in the release. “While we are disappointed that this did not prevent COVID-19, we are pleased that we were able to provide a conclusive answer. Our objective was to find an answer.”  

KARE 11’s coverage of the coronavirus is rooted in Facts, not Fear. Visit kare11.com/coronavirus for comprehensive coverage, find out what you need to know about the Midwest specifically, learn more about the symptoms, and see what companies in Minnesota are hiring. Have a question? Text it to us at 763-797-7215. And get the latest coronavirus updates sent right to your inbox every morning. Subscribe to the KARE 11 Sunrise newsletter here. Help local families in need: www.kare11.com/give11

The state of Minnesota has set up a hotline for general questions about coronavirus at 651-201-3920 or 1-800-657-3903, available 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. There is also a data portal online at mn.gov/covid19.

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