All articles tagged with #colchicine
A clinical trial found that the anti-inflammatory drug colchicine does not improve long-COVID symptoms or functional outcomes, highlighting the need for alternative therapies. Additionally, avian flu outbreaks continue to affect poultry farms across multiple US states, and Fiji has successfully eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, the first in the world to do so.
A large multinational trial, CLEAR SYNERGY (OASIS 9), involving over 7000 patients, found no significant benefit of colchicine in preventing major cardiovascular events after an acute myocardial infarction. The study showed that event rates for cardiovascular death, MI, stroke, and revascularization were similar between colchicine and placebo groups over five years. The findings challenge current guidelines recommending colchicine for post-MI treatment, suggesting its role is uncertain, with the only notable side effect being increased diarrhea risk.
Dr. Connor Bowman, a Minnesota doctor and poison specialist, has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of his wife, Betty Bowman. Police discovered that Dr. Bowman had researched a drug online that was found in lethal amounts in his wife's system and had attempted to cancel her autopsy. Investigators also found evidence suggesting marital issues and financial motives. The medical examiner determined that Betty Bowman's death was a homicide caused by the toxic effects of the drug colchicine. Dr. Bowman is currently in custody.
Autopsy results reveal that Betty Bowman, a pharmacist and wife of former Mayo Clinic Resident Connor Bowman, died from colchicine poisoning. Connor Bowman has been charged in connection with her death. The criminal complaint states that Connor had a search history involving colchicine leading up to her death. Colchicine is a medication used to treat gout and familial Mediterranean fever, and its side effects can be serious. Connor allegedly researched colchicine and purchased it online before Betty's death. He also attempted to halt the autopsy and suggested Betty's cause of death was Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Connor had allegedly mentioned receiving a $500,000 life insurance payout after Betty's death, and a $450,000 bank deposit was found in his home when he was arrested.
The FDA has approved LODOCO (colchicine), the first anti-inflammatory drug for cardiovascular disease. This medication has been shown to reduce the risk of cardiac events in adults with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or multiple risk factors by an additional 31% compared to standard-of-care treatment. LODOCO can be used alone or in combination with cholesterol-lowering medications. The approval highlights the importance of inflammation as a risk factor for heart disease and encourages lifestyle choices that can help lower inflammation.
The US FDA has approved colchicine 0.5 mg tablets (Lodoco) as the first specific anti-inflammatory drug to reduce the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, coronary revascularization, and cardiovascular death in adult patients with established atherosclerotic disease or with multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The drug, which targets residual inflammation as an underlying cause of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, can be used alone or in combination with cholesterol-lowering medications. The drug's manufacturer, Agepha Pharma, anticipates that Lodoco will be available for prescription in the second half of 2023.
The FDA has approved colchicine, marketed as Lodoco, as the first anti-inflammatory medication to treat cardiovascular disease (CVD). Studies have shown that the drug can reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, coronary revascularization, and cardiovascular death in adult patients with established atherosclerotic disease or with multiple risk factors for CVD. The drug was shown to reduce the risk of cardiac events by 31% on top of statin medications, the current standard of care. Colchicine is expected to be available for prescription in the US in the second half of 2023.