Combining hydroxychloroquine and minocycline: potential role in moderate to severe COVID-19 infection.

Gautam, Shashank Shekhar; Gautam, C S; Garg, Vivek Kumar; Singh, Harmanjit

INTRODUCTION Patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 infection require specific drugs to prevent the morbidity and mortality. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has shown some promise in the management of COVID 19. Minocycline, because of its anti-cytokine and other useful properties can be an ideal candidate for combining with HCQ. AREAS COVERED Here we review the need and mechanisms and reasons for combining HCQ and minocycline moderate to severe COVID-19 infection. We also reviewed the advantages, potential safety concerns and precautions to be taken, while combining HCQ and minocycline. EXPERT OPINION Combining HCQ and minocycline offers many advantages in the management of moderate to severe COVID-19 infection. Both drugs are cheaper, widely available and long-term safety data and contraindications are well known. We do not recommend this combination for prophylaxis or use in asymptomatic or mild disease patients as this can lead to unnecessary safety concerns. Additive antimicrobial and anti-cytokine effects of both drugs may reduce the morbidity and mortality among patients with COVID-19 and may act as a cheaper alternative to the costlier drugs, however thorough clinical research is warranted. We call upon public and private healthcare bodies to come up with large well-designed clinical studies for generating evidence-based recommendations.