This study is a research project to evaluate the efficacy of hydroxychloroquine for post-exposure prophylaxis and early treatment of Covid-19. The intervention entails administering prophylactic hydroxychloroquine to all contacts (Study 1) and treating non severe confirmed cases with hydroxychloroquine (Study 2).
Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is a drug that has been extensively used for the prevention of
malaria. HCQ showed excellent in vitro results and strong antiviral effects on SARS-CoV-2
infection of primate cells at low concentration. Empirical data for the efficacy of HCQ in
hospitalized Covid-19 patients became available after the start of this study; HCQ
administration did not result in a significantly higher PCR negative conversion in a RCT
including 150 patients and there was no reduction in the risk of death/intubation in two
large observational studies.
Study 1 -We investigated the efficacy and safety of HCQ to prevent secondary SARS-CoV-2
infection and Covid-19 disease in contacts exposed to a PCR-positive Covid-19 case during.
Study 2- We also conducted a study to test the hypothesis that HCQ treatment would be more
efficacious than no-treatment for patients with mild Covid-19.
Initially, the protocol included the use of combined treatment with a HIV protease inhibidor
(cobicistat-boosted darunavir) for cases (study 2), but it was adapted to HCQ alone after the
recommendation of the pharmaceutical company not to use DRVc for the treatment of Covid-19
due to lack of activity in-vitro.
Drug: Treatment and prophylaxis
Cases will be offered a therapeutic regimen hydroxychloroquine (200mg tablets) 800mg on day 1, and 400mg on days 2-7
Contacts will be offered a prophylactic regimen of hydroxychloroquine (200mg tablets) 800mg on day 1, and 400mg on days 2-7.
Other: Standard Public Health measures
Isolation of patient and contact tracing as per national guidelines.
Study 1:
Inclusion Criteria for a contact:
1. Asymptomatic individuals exposed to a PCR confirmed COVID19 case within 7 days as
either a healthcare worker or household contact
2. Aged ≥18 years male or female;
3. In women of childbearing potential, negative pregnancy test and commitment to use
contraceptive method throughout the study.
4. Willing to take study medication;
5. Willing to comply with all study procedures;
6. Able to provide oral, informed consent and/or assent.
Exclusion Criteria for a contact:
1. With known history of cardiac arrhythmia (or QT prolongation syndrome);
2. Unable to take drugs by mouth;
3. With significantly abnormal liver function (Child Pugh C)
4. Need of dialysis treatment, or GFR≤30 mL/min/1.73 m2;
5. Participants with psoriasis, myasthenia, haematopoietic and retinal
diseases,CNS-related hearing loss or glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficit;
6. Persons already treated with any of the study drugs during the last 30 days;
7. Pregnant or lactating women;
8. Any contraindications as per the Data Sheet of Hydroxychloroquine.
Study 2:
Inclusion Criteria for a case:
1. Patients who meet the requirements of the New Coronavirus Infection Diagnosis (Acute
<5 days respiratory infection symptoms, or fever alone, or acute cough alone and
positive PCR)
2. Aged ≥18 years male or female;
3. In women of childbearing potential, negative pregnancy test and commitment to use
contraceptive method throughout the study.
4. Willing to take study medication
5. Willing to comply with all study procedures, including repeat nasal swab at day 3
6. Able to provide oral and written informed consent
Exclusion Criteria for a case:
1. Hospital admission
2. Serious condition meeting one of the following: (1) respiratory distress with
respiratory rate >=30 breaths/min; (2) oxygen saturation<=93% on quiet status; (3)
Arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2)/oxygen concentration<=300mmHg;
3. Critically ill patients meeting one of the following: (1) Experience respiratory
failure and need to receive mechanical ventilation; (2) Experience shock; (3)
Complicated with other organs failure and need intensive care and therapy in ICU;
4. Participants under treatment with medications likely to interfere with experimental
drugs
5. Unable to take drugs by mouth;
6. With significantly abnormal liver function (Child Pugh C)
7. Need of dialysis treatment, or GFR≤30 mL/min/1.73 m2;
8. Participants with psoriasis, myasthenia, haematopoietic and retinal
diseases,CNS-related hearing loss or glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficit
9. Participants with severe neurological and mental illness;
10. Pregnant or lactating women;
11. Inability to consent and/or comply with study protocol;
12. Individuals with known hypersensitivity to the study drugs.
13. Persons already treated with any of the study drugs during the last 30 days.
14. Any contraindications as per the Data Sheet of Hydroxychloroquine.
Departament de Salut
Barcelona, Spain