Research article
Low-dose colchicine for atherosclerosis: long-term safety
- State-of-the-Art Review
Data collated from contemporary systematic reviews of case reports, drug registries and placebo-controlled trials
Authors' conclusion
Based upon these collective data, it is concluded that aside mild diarrhoea on initiation of colchicine that typically subsides in the vast majority of patients within a week of therapy, continuous use of low-dose colchicine is well tolerated and very safe.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with atherosclerosis/coronary disease on continuous low-dose colchicine (0.5 mg daily), including those taking statins
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Long-term safety of continuous low-dose colchicine
- Mild diarrhoea on initiation, typically subsiding within a week in the vast majority
- No effect on renal, liver or cognitive function
- No adverse effects on bleeding, wound healing, fertility or pregnancy
- No increase in cancer, serious infection or cause-specific mortality
- Myelosuppression, myotoxicity and serious drug-drug interactions rare and no more frequent than placebo, including with statins, in patients without significant renal or hepatic impairment
Original publication
Low-dose colchicine for atherosclerosis: long-term safety. Eur Heart J. Published 10 April 2024. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehae208
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it