Self Reported Side Effects of Prophylactic Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) Usage among Health Care Workers (HCWs) during the Initial Phase of COVID-19 Outbreak

Background: Hydroxychloroquine has been widely administered to patients with Covid-19 without robust evidence supporting its use. The rising burden of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has led to the mass use of hydroxychloroquine by healthcare workers (HCWs). Side effect of this drug when used as prophylaxis is not well known in the literature. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was carried out using a Google form containing questionnaire on different organ systems. Google forms were shared via Whatsapp. Total 180 subjects participated. Inclusion criteria were the population who had taken Hydrocholoroquine as prophylaxis, and were using Whatsapp. Results: Of the 180 participants, at least 25.6% of participating participants experienced at least one side effect following the use of the drug. Among them, Central Nervous System effects had the maximum incidence with 46 (25.6%) events of side effects. Conclusions: It was premature to recommend HCQ as a panacea for prophylaxis of COVID-19 in absence of robust in vivo and clinical trials. Quarantine, social distancing, vaccination and personal hygiene seems to be the only proven preventative measures in the current scenario.