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.