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The FDA has pulled its emergency authorization for the anti-malaria drug hydroxychoroquine for treatment of coronavirus.
On Monday, the agency declared that it was "unlikely to be effective in treating COVID-19" and could lead to "serious side effects" including heart issues.
The agency determined the drugs were “unlikely to be effective in treating COVID-19 for the authorized uses in the EUA.”
“Additionally, in light of ongoing serious cardiac adverse events and other serious side effects, the known and potential benefits of CQ and HCQ no longer outweigh the known and potential risks for the authorized use,” the FDA wrote in its notice Monday.
The drug has been touted by President Trump, who said last month that he was taking it daily. Studies have failed to prove that it's more effective than a placebo treatment.
A recent JAMA study found U.S. prescriptions for the drug surged nearly 2,000% in March when the president initially touted the drug as a possible treatment.
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