Considerations for Drug Interactions on QTc in Exploratory COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) Treatment

Hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin have been touted for potential prophylaxis or treatment for COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) infection. Both drugs are listed as definite causes of torsade de pointes at crediblemeds.org. There are occasional case reports of hydroxychloroquine prolonging the QT interval and provoking torsade de pointes1-4 when used to treat systemic lupus erythematosus. Antimalarial prophylactic drugs, such as hydroxychloroquine, are believed to act on the entry and post-entry stages of SARS-CoV (severe acute respiratory syndrome –associated coronavirus) and SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) infection, likely via effects on endosomal pH and the resulting under-glycosylation of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptors that are required for viral entry.
Source: Heart Rhythm - Category: Cardiology Authors: Source Type: research