Man dies after ingesting chloroquine in an attempt to prevent coronavirus

An Arizona man died after ingesting chloroquine phosphate in an attempt to protect himself from becoming infected with the coronavirus. The man’s wife also ingested the drug, and is currently under critical care.

The drug chloroquine is used to treat malaria, and some early research suggests it may be useful in treating COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus.

There are no drugs approved to prevent or treat the coronavirus.

If medications are taken without any clear benefit proven by science, “they have the potential for a lot of harm,” said Dr. Ben Singer, a pulmonary and critical care specialist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, who was not involved with Arizona couple’s case.

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Article URL : https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/man-dies-after-ingesting-chloroquine-attempt-prevent-coronavirus-n1167166