Statins are a class of cholesterol lowering medications that contribute to reducing a person's risk of experiencing a cardiovascular event like heart attack. Along with the ability to lower cholesterol, statins also possess anti-inflammatory properties which contribute to their cardioprotective effects. Some people experience side effects while taking statins and are unable to continue treatment with them,which can then increase a person's risk of having cardiovascular issues due to untreated high cholesterol levels. Prior studies have shown that inflammation in the body may lead to an increased risk of a future cardiovascular events. Low dose colchicine (LODOCO), an anti-inflammatory agent, has been shown to reduce cardiovascular events by inhibiting inflammation, a major cause of cardiovascular disease. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved LODOCO to reduce the risk of a future cardiac events for those who have existing heart disease or possess multiple risk factors for heart disease.
History of statin intolerance (As defined by the NLA 2023 guidelines) Patients who have experienced one or more adverse effects associated with statin therapy, which resolves or improves with dose continuation or reduction
Stable dose of lipid-lowering regimen (statin or non-statin) for at least one month
Patients able to provide informed consent.
Aged 18 to 80 will be enrolled in the study.
Known hypersensitivity to colchicine, current use of colchicine or other anti-inflammatory medications.
Renal impairment (eGFR <45 mL/min/1.73 m2)
Transaminitis (ALT or AST >3 times upper limit of normal)
Cirrhosis
Crossover
Low-dose colchicine at 0.5mg daily
DrugLODOCO is low-dose colchicine at 0.5mg daily, ii is an FDA approved anti-inflammatory drug, to prevent cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease. LODOCO works by inhibiting microtubule formation and reducing the activity of neutrophils, which play a key role in inflammation.
Placebo
Other interventionMatching placebo
Safety will be assessed by monitoring the incidence of adverse events
Safety will be assessed by monitoring the incidence of adverse events from baseline to four weeks. Adverse events and tolerability will be evaluated using investigator-administered questionnaires at scheduled study visits. Participants will be asked to self-report any symptoms between visits, and all adverse events will be documented.
Efficacy will be determined by measuring the change in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein
Efficacy will be determined by measuring the change in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels from baseline to four weeks. The measurement of hs-CRP pre and post treatment will assess the change in hs-CRP with colchicine. This will test the hypothesis that LODOCO through the inhibition of the inflammatory pathways will lead to a decrease in hs-CRP levels.
To investigate the changes in interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels with low-dose colchicine therapy in patients with statin intolerance.
To assess the impact of low dose colchicine on IL-6, we will measure serum IL-6 levels in patients with statin intolerance at baseline and after 30 days of low-dose colchicine therapy. We hypothesize that there will be a significant reduction in IL-6 levels, reflecting a decrease in systemic inflammation.
To assess changes in lipid profile from baseline to 30 days
To evaluate lipid profile changes in statin-intolerant patients receiving low-dose colchicine by measuring total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and lipoprotein(a) \[Lp(a)\] at baseline and after 30 days of therapy. A 30-day time frame allows for observation of early changes in lipid parameters, which may help guide longer-term studies and inform clinical decision-making.
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