The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, has recently emerged worldwide. In this context, there is an urgent need to identify safe and effective therapeutic strategies for treatment of such highly contagious disease. We recently reported promising results of combining hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin as an early treatment option. Although ongoing clinical trials are challenging the efficacy of this combination, many clinicians claim the authorization to or have already begun to use it to treat COVID-19 patients worldwide. The aim of this article is to share pharmacology considerations contributing to the rationale of this combination, and to provide safety information to prevent toxicity and drug–drug interactions, based on available evidence.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, Azithromycin, Hydroxychloroquine, 【초록키워드】 Treatment, coronavirus disease, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, Coronavirus disease 2019, Efficacy, coronavirus, clinical trial, Azithromycin, Hydroxychloroquine, Infection, Toxicity, severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus, early treatment, contagious disease, respiratory, information, disease, therapeutic strategy, COVID-19 patients, Evidence, Drug–drug interactions, Combination, COVID-19 patient, Safe, acute respiratory syndrome, acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, clinician, rationale, treat, authorization, contagious, Prevent, effective, identify, caused, reported, contributing to, 【제목키워드】 Azithromycin, Hydroxychloroquine, Safety, drug, profile, Potential,