NIH recommends against combining hydroxychloroquine with Z-Pak to treat COVID-19

The COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines Panel advised against combining hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malarial drug, and azithromycin, an antibiotic also known as ‘Z-Pak,’ outside of clinical trials.

The panel said there is not enough clinical data to recommend either for or against the use of hydroxychloroquine for the treatment of COVID-19.

If hydroxychloroquine is used, clinicians should monitor patients for adverse effects, the panel said, especially heart problems.