President Donald Trump said Monday he has been taking hydroxycloroquine, a malaria drug that he said he believes prevents people from contracting coronavirus.
“I take it,” Trump told reporters after a meeting with restaurant executives. “I hope not to be taking it soon.”
Trump has frequently touted the virtues of taking hydroxychloroquine as a possible cure for COVID-19. It had not previously been reported that he started taking the medicine, himself, “about a week and a half ago.” He said he takes the medication daily and the White House doctor approved his plans to take it. He had previously indicated that he may start using the drug
“A lot of front-line workers are taking it,” he said Monday.
Hydroxycloroquine is commonly used to treat malaria and lupus. Its effects on coronavirus are still under review with multiple clinical trials. But the Food and Drug Administration recently warned that it has “not been shown to be safe and effective for treating or preventing COVID-19,” noting reports of “serious heart rhythm problems” among some people who have taken it in relation to coronavirus.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
