Everything You Need to Know About LoDoCo (Colchicine)
Around 26 million Americans are affected by ASCVD, contributing to approximately 400,000 annual fatalities. Heart disease stands as the leading cause of death in the nation, with an estimated 800,000 individuals suffering from heart attacks yearly.
LoDoCo (Colchicine)
LoDoCo (low-dose colchicine) is the first anti-inflammatory medication that can lower the risk of cardiac events. It isn’t well understood how LoDoCo works for cardiovascular disease but it’s believed to work by reducing inflammation within the body.
Read more about Cholesterol and Inflammation
Use
In June 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved LoDoCo to lower the risk of following conditions in adults with atherosclerotic disease (where arteries get hard and narrow) or with multiple risk factors for heart disease.
- Heart attacks
- Strokes
- Procedures to improve blood flow to the heart
- Death from heart disease
This means LoDoCo can be a key part of keeping your heart healthy, especially for those at higher risk of heart issues.
Data
Data from clinical trials, including the LoDoCo (low-dose colchicine for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease) trial has proven that LoDoCo is safe and effective in preventing heart attacks and strokes.
In LoDoCo2 trial, over 5,500 people were divided into two groups. One group took a daily dose (0.5mg) of colchicine, and the other group took a placebo and monitored for the occurrence of cardiovascular events.
The main goal was to see if the medicine could reduce the chances of heart-related issues, such as death from heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, or needing a procedure to unblock blood vessels.
Results indicated that this medication led to a significant 31% decrease in the risk of experiencing cardiovascular events. This improvement was especially due to fewer heart attacks and fewer needs for procedures to improve blood flow to the heart compared to those who took the placebo.
Administration
LoDoCo is available as a tablet in 0.5 mg and can be taken by mouth, once a day, with or without food.
Avoid increasing your dose or frequency of use of this medication beyond what is prescribed. Doing so will not accelerate the improvement of your condition and will only increase your risk of experiencing adverse effects.
Side Effects
Common side effects:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Stomach cramps or pain
- Muscle pain
If these bother you, talk to your doctor. There might be a way to adjust your dose or try another medicine that works better for you.
Seirous side effects:
- Problems with your blood, like having fewer red or white blood cells or platelets. Watch out for symptoms like fever, feeling very tired, coughing, having trouble breathing, looking very pale, feeling dizzy, or finding blood in your urine or stool.
- Muscle weakness or damage. If you notice muscle pain, weakness, tingling, or numbness in your hands or feet, or if your urine turns dark brown, stop taking LoDoCo and get medical help right away.
If you notice any of these serious issues, like muscle pain, weird sensations in your hands or feet, severe stomach issues, unusual bleeding or bruising, feeling extremely tired, signs of the flu, blood in your pee, not peeing much, or if your lips, tongue, or hands look pale or grayish, call your doctor immediately.
Interactions
LoDoCo might not be a good fit if you have severe kidney or liver problems, certain blood disorders, allergies to its ingredients, or if you're taking specific other medicines (cyclosporine or clarithromycin) that can interact with it.
LoDoCo can react with other medicines or supplements you're taking, so make sure your doctor and pharmacist know everything you're on to avoid bad interactions.
It's also a good idea to avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice while on LoDoCo; they can make side effects more likely or worse.
Speak with Your Doctor
Speak with your doctor about taking LoDoCo for cardiovascular (CV) treatment to ensure a personalized assessment of your medical history and condition. This discussion should cover potential risks and benefits, provide guidance on proper use and monitoring, evaluate interactions with other medications, and include regular follow-up for optimal management and safety.