On Monday, President Trump said he was taking hydroxychloroquine, much to the country’s confusion.
Trump said that he is using the drug to prevent getting coronavirus as several aides in the White House continue to test positive for the virus. Hydroxychloroquine is a drug that is often used to treat malaria and lupus, but that the FDA warned could cause serious heart problems to treat Covid-19 and has not been proven to be effective against the virus.
So what is hydroxychloroquine and why is our president taking it?
Hydroxychloroquine is most often taken in pill form. In countries where malaria is rampant, people are advised to take it once a week. People with lupus or rheumatoid arthritis are advised to take the pill at once or twice a day.
Because it is a potent drug, common side effects include vomiting, muscle aches and headaches.
Early in the Covid-19 pandemic, hospitals were experimenting with the drug to see if it was effective in killing the virus. Since then, experts have warned against using the drug to treat Covid-19 because of its adverse health effects and because it could create a shortage for lupus patients who need it each day. Trump’s public announcement also caused confusion, since he said in early April that he would not wear a mask, a much less invasive preventative measure.
Naturally, Twitter went crazy after the president announced he had decided to take the drug.
It’s so obvious that it’s almost not worth pointing out, but Trump saying he’s taking hydroxychloroquine is one of his oldest media tactics. In this case, say something outrageous to hijack news cycle and distract from 90K dead Americans
— Gabriel Sherman (@gabrielsherman) May 19, 2020
Maybe he’s born with it, maybe it hydroxychloroquine pic.twitter.com/MbcUkpr7jR
— Saint Hoax (@SaintHoax) May 19, 2020
Trump says he’s taking Hydroxychloroquine. It’s a leading story today. He often acts like a toddler, but he’s an adult. If he wants to take a drug w/serious side effects, including causing heart and kidney issues, let him!
If he wants to wash it down with Lysol, that’s fine too.
— Ana Navarro-Cárdenas (@ananavarro) May 19, 2020
