SARS-CoV-2 is a novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) that presents with fever, cough, and shortness of breath, and has a mortality rate of 2-4%. Outcomes are worse among the elderly and those with cardiovascular, respiratory, cancer and other co-morbidities. Several treatments are also emerging as promising therapeutic candidates, hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin - both available as generic pills and widely used for other indications - are potential options for treatment. A small randomized controlled trial (RCT) of hospitalized patients suggests chloroquine may be superior to placebo in promoting viral elimination and shortening disease course. Hydroxychloroquine is preferred to chloroquine in the U.S. A small non-randomized trial found azithromycin had a clinical benefit. When azithromycin and hydroxychloroquine are given together, they can cause cardiac side-effects that limit use in the outpatient setting. These drugs, however, have independent potential benefits against COVID-19 that require more rigorous study before either is considered standard of care. We propose a 3-arm RCT to determine the efficacy of hydroxychloroquine or azithromycin in treating mild to moderate COVID-19 among Veterans in the outpatient setting.
We propose a 3-arm RCT to determine the efficacy of hydroxychloroquine or azithromycin in treating mild to moderate COVID-19 among Veterans in the outpatient setting.