Trump Says His Hydroxychloroquine Regimen Will End This Week

US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he would be wrapping up his controversial hydroxychloroquine treatment before the week is out.

After days of being challenged for taking the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine as a prophylactic against COVID-19, Trump told reporters at the White House on Wednesday that he would be finishing up his regimen in "a day or two."

The president said on Tuesday he had been taking the drug, used to treat malaria as well as autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, "for a couple of weeks."

Trump has referred to the drug as a "game-changer" in the fight to find adequate treatments for the deadly respiratory illness, especially if combined with zinc and azithromycin, as some studies have suggested might improve patient responsiveness. However, Trump's touting of the drug has also come under criticism from doctors, who have noted his use violates the Food and Drug Administration's recommendations, since hydroxychloroquine can cause heart problems.

However, the White House physician responsible for Trump's personal health has said, "the potential benefit from treatment outweighed the relative risks."