Final answer:
The primary purpose of repurposing chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19 is to use drugs with known safety profiles to combat the virus. Their potential anti-viral effects against COVID-19 are hypothesized from their anti-malarial action although the risks, including side effects and resistance, must be considered.
Step-by-step explanation:
Repurposing Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19
The primary purpose of repurposing chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19 is to find an effective treatment by utilizing drugs with established safety profiles. These medications, originally used for malaria and other tropical diseases, have potential antiviral properties and might help treat or ameliorate COVID-19 symptoms.
As for how these drugs could potentially treat COVID-19, their mechanism of action against malaria includes interfering with heme detoxification which is necessary for the malarial parasite's survival. There is a hypothesis that such a mechanism or its variant might be useful in combating the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Nevertheless, the use of these drugs for COVID-19 is not without risks. Repurposing drugs can cause unforeseen side effects, including severe anemia in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency and other serious side effects like cardiac issues.
Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine were considered promising candidates for COVID-19 due to their existing safety data and potential to inhibit the virus. However, it is essential to proceed with caution, considering the risks associated with using these drugs outside of their primary indications. There is also a risk of resistance emerging, similar to what was seen with their use in malaria.