A review of multiple studies has found that colchicine, an inexpensive drug commonly used to treat gout, can significantly reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in individuals with cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease is often fueled by chronic inflammation, and colchicine's anti-inflammatory properties make it a potential preventative treatment.
The review analyzed 12 trials involving almost 23,000 participants who had a history of heart disease, heart attack, or stroke. Participants took low doses of colchicine, either 0.5 mg once or twice daily, for at least six months. Compared to those receiving a placebo or no additional treatment, individuals on low-dose colchicine experienced fewer cardiovascular events. Specifically, for every 1,000 people treated, there were approximately nine fewer heart attacks and eight fewer strokes.
While colchicine did not appear to cause serious side effects, some patients reported mild, temporary stomach or digestive issues. Researchers highlighted that this drug could prevent a substantial number of recurrent heart attacks and strokes in high-risk patients. Given that cardiovascular diseases are a leading global cause of death, colchicine is being presented as a promising, affordable, and accessible option for secondary prevention.
However, the evidence regarding colchicine's impact on overall mortality, quality of life, or hospital stays remains inconclusive, and further research is needed in these a... download the app to read more
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