The Union Ministry of Health and family welfare of India has approved the use of hydroxychloroquine in combination with azithromycin for patients suffering from serious Covid-19 disease and requiring ICU managements as a major change in the clinical management strategy.
The Ministry of Health has issued its revised Guidelines on Clinical Management of COVID–19 late on March 31.
No specific antiviral have been proven to be effective as per currently available data as per noted by the health ministry. However, based on the available information (uncontrolled clinical trials), the above-mentioned drugs may be considered.
The medication is presently not recommended for children less than 12 years, pregnant and lactating women. “The revised guidelines are based on currently available information and would be reviewed from time to time as new evidence emerges,” it added.