As COVID-19 spreads throughout our country, people are becoming increasing panicked, and some are turning to home remedies to try to prevent infection. While some “cures”, like eating lots of raw garlic, are probably not effective but are ultimitely harmless, others are extremely dangerous.

NBC News reported that “An Arizona man has died after ingesting chloroquine phosphate — believing it would protect him from becoming infected with the coronavirus. The man’s wife also ingested the substance and is under critical care.

The toxic ingredient they consumed was not the medication form of chloroquine, used to treat malaria in humans. Instead, it was an ingredient listed on a parasite treatment for fish.

The man’s wife told NBC News she’d watched televised briefings during which President Trump talked about the potential benefits of chloroquine. Even though no drugs are approved to prevent or treat COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, some early research suggests it may be useful as a therapy.

The couple unfortunately equated the chloroquine phosphate in their fish treatment with the medication —known as hydroxychloroquine — that has recently been touted as a possible treatment for COVID-19.

The Food and Drug Administration has not approved chloroquine to treat the coronavirus, and studies of its safety and effectiveness are just beginning.

The Arizona woman now warns others to listen to medical professionals for the best coronavirus advice.”

The medication is safe for aquariums, but is absolutely not safe for human consumption. Please, refrain from any medical home remedies; our hospitals are grossly overburdened right now, and cannot take on the extra task of people poisoning themselves in an attempt to self-medicate.

For a look at how this additive works in aquariums (which it was formulated for), check out this article:

Aquarium Fish: Chloroquine: A “New” Drug for Treating Fish Diseases