Watch: Nancy Pelosi Says Trump Shouldn’t Take Hydroxychloroquine Because He’s ‘Morbidly Obese’

After President Donald Trump declared he has been taking hydroxychloroquine to prevent getting coronavirus, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-California) spoke out against his unsubstantiated claims about the drug. 

“As far as the President is concerned, I would rather he not be taking something that has not been approved by scientists,” she stated in a CNN interview with news anchor Anderson Cooper.

“I would rather he not be taking something that has not been approved by the scientists, especially in his age group, and in his, shall we say, weight group: ‘Morbidly obese,’ they say,” says House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Pres. Trump’s revelation he is taking hydroxychloroquine. pic.twitter.com/0ImjpEjg9q

— Anderson Cooper 360° (@AC360) May 19, 2020

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The House speaker also added that, given his physical condition, he should be more cautious with his actions. The drug poses a major threat “especially in his age group,” she continued, “and in his, shall we say, weight group: ‘Morbidly obese,’ they say!”

Trump underwent a clinical test back in February 2019, crossing the threshold for obesity with a height of 6 feet, 3 inches and a weight of 243 pounds. The medical exam also indicated he had been getting medicines to reduce his cholesterol levels.

Hydroxychloroquine has not been approved by scientists. Yet, the president claims it can both protect people from getting the novel coronavirus and act as prophylaxis for those infected. Earlier this week, he reported that a woman from Michigan had allegedly recovered from COVID-19 thanks to the drug.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer declared the president’s claims about the drug “dangerous,” noting how “reckless” his unsubstantiated claims often are.

The drug ihas not been proven to treat COVID-19. In fact, it could potentially cause side effects in patients. As President of the American Medical Association, Dr. Patrice Harris, confirmed earlier this week, “The results are not promising.”

The White House doctor released a statement in which he informed the medical community that “the potential benefit from treatment outweighed the relative risks.”

The Food and Drug Administration has previously said that hydroxychloroquine could badly affect a patient’s heart rhythm.

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