A recent warning by the FDA says the drug remdesivir’s positive impact may be negated if used with hydroxychloroquine.  Remdesivir is being used to treat patients with severe cases of COVID-19.

In mid April, the drug maker Gilead reported early positive reports from trials of remdesivir in patients with COVID-19, but said it was too soon to count on those early positive results.

On April 29, Dr. Anthony Fauci, in a meeting in the Oval Office with President Trump, said a random, placebo-controlled trial of remdesivir being conducted by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases showed a “clear cut, significant positive effect in diminishing the time to recovery.”

On May 1, the FDA approved the use of the Gilead drug remdesivir for severely ill COVID-19 patients based on the preliminary positive trial results.

In the FDA warning letter issued on June 15, the agency warned that using remdesivir with hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine reduced the antiviral effects of remdesivir

The FDA also updated its fact sheet for patients and providers that explains the risks and potential benefits of using remdesivir, and now cautions patients to be sure to alert providers if they are taking either hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine