A man and his wife from Arizona were sent to the hospital after they mistakenly took a fish tank cleaner as a cure to prevent coronavirus infection.

The couple who were in their sixties, ingested chloroquine phosphate, which was commonly used to clean aquariums for Hydroxychloroquine, a drug that is said to possibly cure the COVID-19 virus. In a report from NBC News, the man took chloroquine phosphate in hopes of protecting himself and his wife from the virus. The two found the cleaning agent in their cabinet and believed that it was “the stuff they’re talking about on TV.” Then, each of them took a teaspoon of the said ingredient and mixed it in their beverage

Unfortunately, the man had already died while the women remained under critical observation. As the story broke out, doctors and health experts urged Americans to stop self-medicating. In a statement from Dr. Daniel Brooks, medical director of the hospital’s Poison and Drug Information Center, he explained that while it is understandable why people are trying to find ways to prevent and cure the virus, self-medicating is not the way to go. The doctor continued to say that the last thing they need is for hospitals to care for people who had tried dangerous solutions to stop the virus.

The woman then blamed the president for the misinformation saying that “It feels like, like my heart is broken and it’ll never mend.” However, the woman also admitted that she knew the FDA had not yet approved the new drug but chose to simply dismiss the grave warnings as it might still be safe to consume.

On the other hand, Hydroxychloroquine, the drug which the couple mistook for, had been recommended by 65 doctors and other medical professionals. Along with New Jersey State Senator Joe Pennacchio, the US academic said that the drug was an effective cure to fight coronavirus. Over the weekend, the senator urged the federal government to implement the “manufacturing” and “distribution” of the said drug.

In a French peer-reviewed study published on the International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents and headed by infectious disease specialist Dr. Didier Raoult, the research shows that 40 patients who tested positive from coronavirus, had significantly better results from taking Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ). It also cites that patients who took HCQ have lower “viral shedding,” which also decreases the transferability of the virus.

Medical experts confirmed that the substance prevents the COVID-19 virus from entering the human cells. It also prevents the virus from replicating and has a 22-day half-life. This means that it can stay longer in the human body. As the research read: “A nationwide program of early treatment with HCQ, along with concurrent isolation may reap exponential benefits. The existing record of HCQ, its promise of efficacy in the treatment of COVID-19, and low costs make the risk to benefit ratio well worth the effort.”

On Friday’s press briefing, President Donald Trump also suggested that drugs that were commonly used for malaria might also be effective in fighting coronavirus. However, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci added that it is yet to be verified as the drug is still under clinical testing.