Is it Time to Add Colchicine to the CVD Cocktail?

Authors:
Augustus (Rob) Hough, PharmD, BCCP
Taylor Huff, PharmD

Reviewers:
Craig J Beavers, PharmD, BCPS, BCCP, CACP
Paul P. Dobesh, PharmD, BCPS, BCCP
Kealy M Marth PharmD

CITATION: Nidorf SM, Fiolet ATL, Mosterd A, et al. Colchicine in patients with chronic coronary disease. N Engl J Med. 2020. 383:1838-1847.

The Problem

Systemic inflammation appears to be an important contributor to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease but, to date, no medication has been approved that specifically targets systemic inflammation.  Could colchicine, an anti-inflammatory drug that has been used for decades, move from “perhaps-do” to a “must-do” standard of care for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD)? Data from two previous trials have demonstrated colchicine’s positive impact on cardiovascular outcomes.^1,2 The LoDoCo2 study asks us, again, to consider colchicine for patients with CAD.³