A New York woman with coronavirus symptoms died earlier this month after being prescribed drugs President Trump has promoted to treat the coronavirus, despite warnings from major medical organizations about potential cardiac effects. (1/8) #NBCNewsThreads
nbcnews.com/health/health-…
nbcnews.com/health/health-…
In early April, Ligia, a 65-year-old Queens resident, was given hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin after she reported having a bad cough, fever and shortness of breath.
While Ligia’s symptoms were consistent with those of COVID-19, she was never tested for the virus. (2/8)
While Ligia’s symptoms were consistent with those of COVID-19, she was never tested for the virus. (2/8)
Ligia received the drugs after speaking by phone with her doctor.
She was not evaluated in person and did not receive a heart screening or warning about potential side effects, her brother-in-law, Lee Levitt, tells @NBCNews: “It was handed over like a bag of cookies." (3/8)
She was not evaluated in person and did not receive a heart screening or warning about potential side effects, her brother-in-law, Lee Levitt, tells @NBCNews: “It was handed over like a bag of cookies." (3/8)
President Trump’s promotion of hydroxycholroquine and azithromycin—on Twitter and during White House briefings—has led to a surge in demand, even though the treatment hasn’t been approved by the FDA for COVID-19 and doctors say its effectiveness is currently inconclusive. (4/8)
The American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology have issued guidance for physicians prescribing the untested drug combination, stating each of the substances have "potential serious implications for people with existing cardiovascular disease." (5/8)
After taking 3 doses of the drug cocktail, Ligia suffered cardiac arrest on April 7 and died before paramedics could reach her.
Levitt acknowledges that the family does not know that the drug caused Ligia’s death — they have not yet received a death certificate. (6/8)
Levitt acknowledges that the family does not know that the drug caused Ligia’s death — they have not yet received a death certificate. (6/8)
It's unclear how many Americans have been given prescriptions for hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin—and its potential for treating COVID-19 is still being explored.
But Ligia’s story suggests that at least some physicians are prescribing it outside of hospital settings. (7/8)
But Ligia’s story suggests that at least some physicians are prescribing it outside of hospital settings. (7/8)
“If nobody is willing to stand up and say ‘This drug killed my loved one,’ then others will assuredly die as Ligia did,” Levitt says. “It's basically a game of Russian roulette; we don't know who can tolerate the drug and who can't.” (8/8) nbcnews.com/health/health-…
