Gout Drug Colchicine Linked to Reduced Heart Attack and Stroke Risk

According to a comprehensive Cochrane review published in November 2025, the gout medication colchicine may offer unexpected benefits for people with cardiovascular disease. The review analyzed data from 12 trials involving a total of 22,983 participants with a history of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.

The researchers found that individuals who took a low dose of colchicine - 0.5mg once or twice a day - for at least six months were less likely to experience a heart attack or stroke compared to those not taking the drug. Specifically, the review suggests that for every 1,000 people treated with colchicine, there were 9 fewer heart attacks and 8 fewer strokes.

"Reductions like this can make a real difference for patients who live with ongoing, lifelong cardiovascular risk," explained Dr. Ramin Ebrahimi, the co-lead author from the University Medicine Greifswald in Germany.

While colchicine users did experience some mild side effects related to their digestive system, the researchers believe the potential cardiovascular benefits outweigh these minor drawbacks. "These results come from publicly funded trials repurposing a very old, low-cost drug for an entirely new use," said Lars Hemkens, the senior author from the University of Bern in Switzerland. "It shows the power of academic research to reveal treatment opportunities that traditional drug development often overlooks."