The University of the Philippines Hydroxychloroquine PEP Against COVID-19 Trial
Status:
Withdrawn
Trial end date:
2021-05-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
This COVID-19 pandemic warrants urgent strategies to protect people at high risk of
infection, particularly the healthcare workers. Secondary prevention through post-exposure
prophylaxis (PEP) and early treatment of infection are needed to prevent severe cases and cut
secondary transmission. Hydroxycholoroquine (HCQ) is an inexpensive anti-malarial drug with
immunomodulatory effects that are currently used as an off-label treatment for symptomatic
COVID-19 patients. In vitro studies have shown that it can efficiently inhibit SARS-CoV-2
infection and has potential as a post-exposure prophylaxis drug.