Memo from White House physician said he and Trump concluded the 'potential benefit' of hydroxychloroquine 'outweighed the relative risks' — despite no clear evidence yet that it works

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• The president's physician said in a memo that he ultimately decided with President Donald Trump that the "potential benefit from treatment outweighed the relative risks" of taking anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine as a prophylactic for coronavirus.
• The memo did not confirm that Trump was taking hydroxychloroquine as he claimed on Monday during a press briefing. Nor did it give more details about its use.
• Trump told reporters earlier Monday that he has been taking the drug "every day" for the past 10 days as a preventative measure against COVID-19.
• However, hydroxychloroquine has not been proven to prevent infection. It is currently in clinical trials. Experts have warned against the use of the drug outside of hospital settings and trials.
• The Food and Drug Administration issued a warning in April about the anti-malaria drug, saying that it can cause irregular heart rhythms in coronavirus patients.
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A memo from the White House physician said he discussed the benefits and health risks of hydroxychloroquine with President Donald Trump, and they ultimately "concluded the potential benefit from treatment outweighed the relative risks."

The president told reporters earlier Monday that he has been taking hydroxychloroquine — an anti-malaria drug — "every day" for the last 10 days as a preventative measure against COVID-19.

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See Also:

• See the full transcript and video footage of President Trump claiming he is taking hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19 prevention
• 'I cannot stress this enough, this will kill you': Fox News host Neil Cavuto was shocked by Trump's announcement that he's taking hydroxychloroquine to prevent coronavirus.
• White House adviser accused Obama of working as 'Joe Biden's press secretary' after he criticized the government's COVID-19 response

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