FACT BRIEF

Is colchicine potentially an effective treatment for the ‘cytokine storm’ brought on by COVID-19?

Wednesday, February 17, 2021

By Lauralei Singsank

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YES

Recent trials of colchicine, a commonplace drug used to treat gout, warrant larger studies to confirm the drug’s efficacy against some of the worst outcomes from COVID-19, researchers found.

A clinical trial of around 4,500 non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients followed an earlier study of the drug’s effects on hospitalized patients. The drug, known for anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties, has been seen as a potential defense against the “cytokine storm” immune response associated with some severe cases of the disease.

The “storm” can include symptoms ranging from mild fatigue to life-threatening pneumonia and organ failure. According to the initial non-peer reviewed study, the latest trial found that colchicine reduced deaths by 44% and hospitalizations by 25%. Researchers said colchicine could be useful as an effective oral medication for non-hospitalized patients with the virus.

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Sources

WebMD: Colchicine

Montreal Heart Institute Montreal Heart Institute: Colchicine reduces the risk of COVID-19-related complications

medRxiv: Efficacy of colchicine in non-hospitalized patients with COVID-19

New England Journal of Medicine: COVID-19 cytokine storm

National Library of Medicine: Journal of Clinical Medicine—Colchicine to weather the cytokine storm in hospitalized patients with COVID-19

MedPage Today: Colchicine for early COVID-19? Trial may support oral therapy at home

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