Should Colchicine be used in the treatment of COVID-19?

ABSTRACT

Key Findings@#There is currently insufficient evidence on the use of colchicine in the treatment of COVID-19 patients, but there are 4 ongoing trials awaiting completion this 2020. Colchicine is an anti-inflammatory agent currently being used for a variety of inflammatory conditions such as gout, familial Mediterranean fever, Behcet’s syndrome and pericarditis. Its powerful anti-inflammatory properties may have the potential to prevent the development of COVID-19 complications. There are currently no evidence for its use on COVID-19 patients, but there are 4 ongoing studies that may be released from the period of May 2020 to September 2020. Common adverse events include gastrointestinal effects such as diarrhea but does not exhibit serious and life-threatening adverse events. There is no mention of colchicine in the WHO Interim Guidance, US CDC Clinical Interim Guidelines and Chinese Clinical Guidance for COVID-19 management.