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Gout Drug Slashes Heart Attack, Stroke Risk
13 Dec
Summary
- Inexpensive gout drug colchicine significantly reduces heart attacks and strokes.
- Low-dose colchicine showed no major increase in serious side effects.
- The drug targets chronic inflammation, a driver of cardiovascular events.
A widely available gout medication, colchicine, is showing promise in preventing heart attacks and strokes among individuals with existing cardiovascular disease. This inexpensive drug, known for its anti-inflammatory properties, targets the chronic low-grade inflammation that often underlies recurrent cardiovascular events.
Recent research, involving nearly 23,000 participants across 12 trials, analyzed the impact of low-dose colchicine (0.5 mg daily). The findings revealed a notable reduction in cardiovascular incidents, with approximately nine fewer heart attacks and eight fewer strokes per 1,000 individuals treated compared to those on placebo.
While mild digestive side effects were reported more frequently, no significant adverse events were linked to the treatment. This repurposing of an old, low-cost drug highlights a potentially accessible and effective strategy for secondary cardiovascular prevention globally, though further research is needed on its impact on overall mortality and quality of life.
