ABSTRACT
Immunomodulation by colchicine is a well-established therapy for targeting inflammatory pathways in gout, pericarditis and Behchet's disease. In more recent times, evidence has emerged demonstrating a potential role for colchicine in several cardiac conditions. This article aims to summarise the evidence behind the established guidelines for use of low-dose colchicine in pericarditis and examine the evolving evidence for its use in cardiovascular disease and most recently COVID-19.
ABSTRACT
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), responsible for coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), has rapidly spread since December 2019 to become the focus of healthcare systems worldwide. Its highly contagious nature and significant mortality has led to its prioritization as a public health issue. The race to prevent and treat this disease has led to "off-label" prescribing of medications such as hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, and Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir). Currently, there is no robust clinical evidence for the use of these drugs in the treatment of COVID-19, with most, if not all of these medications associated with the potential for QT interval prolongation, torsades de pointes, and resultant drug-induced sudden cardiac death. The aim of this document is to help healthcare providers mitigate the potential deleterious effects of drug-induced QTc prolongation.