Tag: Pericarditis

Myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle, is the most common and most lethal cardiovascular adverse event linked to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy, with some estimates reporting mortality rates as high as 50%. Understanding what is the most common manifestation of cardiotoxicity associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors is critical for early detection and improving patient outcomes.

Derived from the autumn crocus, or *Colchicum autumnale* plant, the substance known as colchicum has a history of use dating back centuries, though its modern pharmaceutical derivative, colchicine, is what is primarily used today. In fact, it was used to treat gout in ancient Egypt around 1500 BC.

In a pivotal clinical trial for recurrent pericarditis, patients experienced a median time to pain relief of just 5 days after starting ARCALYST. This rapid onset of action is characteristic of how quickly ARCALYST works for inflammatory conditions, targeting the root cause of inflammation.

In developed countries, most cases of pericarditis are idiopathic or viral in origin, but a significant portion becomes recurrent. As a result, the question, **is colchicine used for pericarditis?**, has become central to current treatment guidelines, which strongly recommend it to reduce inflammation and prevent relapse.

According to the American Heart Association, pericarditis affects thousands of people annually and can lead to a recurrent, debilitating condition for a significant minority. For many patients, the answer to the question, 'Does colchicine treat pericarditis?' is a resounding yes, as it has become a cornerstone therapy for managing both acute and recurrent episodes.

Dating back to ancient Greece and Rome, colchicine is one of the oldest remedies still used in modern medicine, primarily for its potent anti-inflammatory effects. The FDA has approved it for specific inflammatory conditions, most notably for the treatment and prevention of gout attacks and the management of Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF). However, its applications extend beyond these well-known uses, with new research exploring its benefits for cardiovascular diseases and other inflammatory disorders.

Recurrent pericarditis can affect up to 23% of patients, even with standard medical therapy. For those who do not respond to conventional treatments like NSAIDs and colchicine, a newer, targeted approach is necessary, and this is where the medication anakinra is used for pericarditis.

While commonly prescribed for various infections, rare cases of adverse cardiac events have been reported with doxycycline. This has prompted questions and research into whether doxycycline can damage your heart under certain conditions, particularly with long-term, high-dose exposure.

Derived from the autumn crocus plant, *Colchicum autumnale*, colchicine is one of the oldest medicines still in use today, with a history spanning back thousands of years. This powerful anti-inflammatory agent has evolved from its historical use to treat gout to a modern therapeutic option for various conditions, including gout, familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), and cardiovascular diseases.

Derived from the autumn crocus plant, colchicine has been used for centuries as an anti-inflammatory medication. Today, modern medicine has found specific applications for what is the drug colchicine used for, including managing debilitating inflammatory conditions like gout and Familial Mediterranean Fever.