US President Donald Trump says he is taking hydroxychloroquine to help keep him safe from coronavirus, despite public health officials warning it may be unsafe

There is no evidence that it can fight coronavirus and it can have major side effects

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http://bbc.in/CV19TxHq 

"I get a lot of tremendously positive news on the hydroxy," the president said, adding: "What do you have to lose?"

Doctors around the world say it can cause heart failure, suicidal thoughts and signs of liver disease



http://bbc.in/CV19TxHq 

Asked whether the White House doctor had recommended he start taking the disputed remedy, Mr Trump said he, himself, had requested it

The US Food and Drug Administration says hydroxychloroquine has "not been shown to be safe & effective" treating Covid-19
http://bbc.in/CV19TxHq 

Studies are underway to examine the effectiveness of chloroquine and its derivatives

But the World Health Organization says it's concerned by reports of individuals self-medicating and causing themselves serious harm

http://bbc.in/CoronavirusChloroquine

As a result of the publicity given to these drugs there has been a global surge in demand for them

In late March, there was a sharp increase reported in prescriptions in the US for both chloroquine and hydrochloroquine, although demand has since declined

http://bbc.in/CoronavirusChloroquine

Tablets containing chloroquine are used to treat malaria; reducing fever & inflammation

The hope is that they can also inhibit the virus behind Covid-19

But there is insufficient evidence, to date, from current trials in their use to fight coronavirus

http://bbc.in/CoronavirusChloroquine

There are significant medical warnings about using the unproven drug hydroxychloroquine as a preventive treatment for Covid-19

Read @BBCRealityCheck’s latest analysis: http://bbc.in/CoronavirusChloroquine