A man in Arizona dies after ingesting chloroquine in an attempt to prevent coronavirus.

Banner Health experts warn against self-medication to prevent or treat COVID-19 after a man from Arizona dies from consuming chloroquine phosphate.

Banner Health experts warn against self-medication to prevent or treat COVID-19 after a man from Arizona dies from consuming chloroquine phosphate.According to Banner Health, a 60-year-old man from Arizona died and his wife is in critical condition after they consumed chloroquine phosphate on 23 March 2020. It is an additive that is commonly used at aquariums to clean fish tanks. Chloroquine is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating malaria, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis. However, the FDA has not approved it to treat the coronavirus.

The wife told NBC News that they consumed chloroquine phosphate in an attempt to protect themselves from contracting the coronavirus. Within thirty minutes of ingestion, the couple experienced immediate effects requiring admittance to a nearby hospital.

The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a lot of potentially dangerous misinformation. For reliable advice on COVID-19 including symptoms, prevention and available treatment, please refer to the World Health Organisation or your national healthcare authority.