Source: Page Six Author: Eileen Reslen
Former “Bachelor” star Colton Underwood claims two controversial drugs heavily touted by President Donald Trump “saved” his life after he tested positive for coronavirus.
The reality star, 28, told host Maria Menounos on her “Better Together” podcast on Tuesday that his doctor put him on two medications praised by the President in his daily press briefings.
He did not disclose the names of the drugs, but the President has publicly spoken in favor of the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine and antibiotic azithromycin, which researchers have found that combined could help fight COVID-19.
“I got on it right away, before it was even approved,” Underwood said. “It worked magic for me. I felt better in five days. Right away, it was sort of a little bit of relief.”
The author of “The First Time” said immediately after taking the medication his “fever broke right away,” he no longer had night sweats, and his coughing and difficulty breathing did not worsen.
Trump, 73, has been criticized for promoting the drugs publicly before the Food and Drug Administration formally approved it as treatment of COVID-19.
Dr. Anthony Fauci of the White House Coronavirus Task Force has cautioned Americans that there is “no magic drug” that cures coronavirus.
However, in late March, the FDA authorized the emergency use of hydroxychloroquine sulfate to “treat adults and adolescents who weigh 50 kg or more and are hospitalized with COVID-19 for whom a clinical trial is not available.”
As of Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still states on its website that there are “no drugs or other therapeutics approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to prevent or treat COVID-19.”
Underwood told Menounos, 41, he was hesitant to speak out about his experience with the medications out of fear for public backlash.
“I was trying to tell people and be very transparent about it, but at the same time, I was receiving some hateful messages about promoting drugs that aren’t approved, and taking drugs away from people who have Lupus,” he said. “It was a struggle … I understand where people are coming from … but at the same time, it just saved my life.”
Underwood noted that some negative side effects of the drugs were “night terrors” and anxiety. He said doctors also warned that the combination of the two drugs may not be safe for people with pre-existing heart conditions.
Actor Daniel Dae Kim, who tested positive for coronavirus himself, has also praised hydroxychloroquine as being a “critical” part of his treatment.
On March 20, Underwood revealed he tested positive for coronavirus despite following proper quarantine and social distancing protocol. He said on Tuesday he is now symptom-free.
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