Common gout drug may reduce risk of heart attack and stroke (Colchicine)

Medical Xpress / Cochrane / Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews ^ | Nov. 12, 2025 | Dr. Ramin Ebrahimi et al

[ConservativeMind]

A widely used, inexpensive gout drug could reduce heart attacks and strokes in people with cardiovascular disease, according to a new review.

The review examined the effects of low doses of colchicine, a drug used to treat gout, and found no increase in serious side effects.

Cardiovascular disease is often driven by chronic low-grade inflammation, which contributes to recurrent cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes. Colchicine has anti-inflammatory properties that make it a promising option for people with heart disease.

The review included 12 randomized controlled trials involving nearly 23,000 people with a history of heart disease, heart attack or stroke. The studies looked at patients who took colchicine for at least six months, with doses of 0.5 mg once or twice a day. Most participants were male (~80%) and the mean age was 57 to 74 years old. Half received colchicine, while the other half received either a placebo or no additional treatment alongside their usual care.

Overall, those taking low-dose colchicine were less likely to experience a heart attack or stroke. For every 1,000 people treated, there were nine fewer heart attacks and eight fewer strokes compared with those not taking the drug. While there were no serious adverse events identified, patients who took colchicine were more likely to have stomach or digestive side effects, but these were usually mild and didn't last long.

"Among 200 people with cardiovascular disease—where we would normally expect around seven heart attacks and four strokes—using low-dose colchicine could prevent about two of each," says Dr. Ramin Ebrahimi. "Reductions like this can make a real difference for patients who live with ongoing, lifelong cardiovascular risk."

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TOPICS: Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS: cardiac; gout; heart; strokes

[ConservativeMind]

Colchicine at 0.5 mg once or twice a day cut stroke risk by 50% and heart attacks by around 30%.

[ConservativeMind]

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[lee martell]

I have been prescribed this Med before, but always only for short periods of time. I tolerated it just fine.

[George from New England]

ping

[Organic Panic]

Pity to anyone who has gout. I got an attack out of no where three years ago. I had no idea what happened and thought I broke my leg somehow. It was the most painful thing I ever experienced. Changed my diet and gave up beer and haven’t had an attack since.

[OftheOhio]

Yes, I had gout a couple of weeks ago in my left ankle. Colchicine fixed me up pretty quick. I couldn’t even walk on it, two days later I was fine again.

[OftheOhio]

There were some interesting comments on askapatient. I thought Colchicine was out of distribution years ago. I’m still confused. In my previous comment the dosage was .6 mg and was labeled Colchicine, not the newest version.
https://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=22352&name=COLCRYS

[Reverend Wright]

That’s a strange one because Celebrex was also an anti-inflammatory, but it caused heart attacks.

[Bobbyvotes]

Regular exercise does it better, had no side effects and IS FREE.

[Fractal Trader]

If you’re going to start on Colchicine, make sure you have an extra pair or two of underwear trunks on hand!

[faucetman]

It can also KILL you.