Remedies: Vitamins, Hydroxychloroquine, et al.

As the world waits for a COVID-19 vaccine, many alternative remedies have been proposed. Given the unprecedented nature of the pandemic, the world has been quick to believe in these potential treatments even with minimal evidence. For the most part, only time will tell which of the alternatives will prove to be effective treatments.

One of the most popular candidates to treat the virus is hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), a drug traditionally used for malaria. It has gained traction after a problematic study from France recommended the drug as a cure for COVID-19 patients. Despite serious problems with the study, as pointed out by Dutch epidemiologist Frits Rosendaal, it gained momentum due to the scientists’ enthusiastic backing of hydroxychloroquine as a cure. President Trump further sparked the spread by tweeting his support for the potential treatment. As a result, the number of hydroxychloroquine prescriptions jumped, especially in France, with health care workers desperate to try anything that might improve treatment of those hospitalized by COVID-19. However, the drug’s efficacy has remained controversial after studies refuting the original claims made for the “wonder drug.” France even went on to ban prescriptions of the drug following the warning signs shown by these new studies.

Several vitamins and minerals have also enjoyed the COVID spotlight after slim evidence suggesting they can help prevent the virus. The most promising of these is vitamin D, with several observational studies suggesting vitamin D deficiency increases the severity of coronavirus. It appears countries with high rates of vitamin D deficiency, like Spain and Italy, also have some of the worst COVID infection and death rates. However, a review of the evidence supporting vitamin D by researchers at the University of Oxford found that there is nothing to suggest vitamin D deficiency increases risk for COVID or that vitamin D supplements prevent the virus. Vitamin C and zinc have also gained attention for their potential to combat or prevent the virus, likely because of their role in supporting the immune system. As with vitamin D, there is a lack of clinical evidence for zinc’s role in combating coronavirus. Regarding vitamin C, a clinical trial is currently underway in China looking to see how high dose intravenous vitamin C affects those hospitalized by COVID-19; however, even if the results are positive, they would not necessarily suggest vitamin C supplementation could help prevent the virus.

While drugs like hydroxychloroquine have shown promise in isolated situations, most of the alternative remedies proposed for the coronavirus are not effective or do not have enough clinical evidence to draw conclusions. Until the vaccine arrives or we know of scientifically backed remedies, it’s in our best interest to practice simple preventative measures that we know work, like wearing a mask, social distancing, and washing our hands.