During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, numerous existing chemicals have been screened for antiviral potential against the emerging coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, after exhibiting potent in vitro efficacy, have gained tremendous attention. Both therapeutics are derivatives of natural alkaloid quinine and were first synthesized to treat malaria. Thereafter, the pharmaceutical applications of the agents have expanded to many new areas. In this article, the medicinal history and pharmacological activities of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine are summarized. Antimalarial, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antiviral properties, and therapeutic potential in the emerging viral infection COVID-19 are discussed. Pharmacokinetics, adverse effects, and toxicities are reviewed.

在2019年冠状病毒病（COVID-19）大流行期间，已经筛选了许多现有化学物质，以对抗新兴的冠状病毒，严重急性呼吸系统综合症冠状病毒2.表现出强大的体外功效后，氯喹和羟氯喹受到了极大关注。两种疗法都是天然生物碱奎宁的衍生物，并且首先被合成以治疗疟疾。此后，药剂的药物应用已扩展到许多新领域。本文总结了氯喹和羟氯喹的药史和药理活性。讨论了在新兴病毒感染COVID-19中的抗疟，抗炎，抗肿瘤，抗病毒特性和治疗潜力。审查了药代动力学，不良反应和毒性。