This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluated the effects of colchicine on hospitalized COVID-19 patients. 106 adult patients with severe COVID-19 were randomly assigned to receive colchicine (2mg loading dose followed by 0.5mg twice daily for 7 days) or placebo, in addition to remdesivir and interferon beta-1b. The primary outcome was clinical response (ordinal scale of 1 or 2). Secondary outcomes included hospital complications and 28-day mortality. No significant difference in clinical response or secondary outcomes was observed between groups. Gastrointestinal side effects (diarrhea and nausea) were more prevalent in the colchicine group. The study concludes that colchicine showed no benefit in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and safety concerns, especially gastrointestinal side effects, should be considered.
