Sask. pharmacist says full report needed for possible COVID colchicine treatment

While there might be some good news on the COVID-19 front regarding medication, a Saskatchewan pharmacist says we need to have all the facts first.

A study out of Quebec is claiming colchicine could be used to help reduce the impacts of COVID-19 on patients. That includes reducing hospitalizations, the need for mechanical ventilation and deaths.

But Kelly Kizlyk, who is a medication information consultant with medSask, said the full report hasn’t been released yet.

“While it looks promising, until we have all of the data and all of the information, we have to be careful about determining whether or not this is going to be an effective treatment,” Kizlyk said. “And once again, even if it does prove to be an appropriate treatment for coronavirus, it will be very important that it’s done under medical supervision.

“Colchicine is a prescription product so the only way to access it is through your physician or nurse practitioner.”

She said the medication has been available for many years in Saskatchewan and is typically used to help reduce swelling associated with gout.

But there are some concerns with it.

“Colchicine is a bit of a tricky medication. It has what’s called a narrow therapeutic index which basically means that there’s a small difference between a safe dose and what could be a harmful or toxic dose and so you have to be really cautious with dosing — not only how much you’re taking but how long you’re taking it,” Kizlyk said.

“When you’re getting too much colchicine, and even as a side effect of medication, it tends to cause nausea, stomach upset, diarrhea (or) vomiting. Where it gets really concerning is some of those other side effects. It can start to affect your liver, your kidneys and your heart.”

She said the dosing of the medication is something about which people need to be cautious.

“We are very mindful about the dose we use and how long we use it and we make sure that people are aware of the side effects,” Kizlyk said. “Certainly there’s a role for it and it can be very helpful in managing gout.

“Where we need to be careful is that we always use it under medical supervision so that your doctor or nurse practitioner is following your care and follow all the dosing instructions.”

She noted that COVID has caused a change in how things get approved.

“We’ve seen drug plans and organizations like the FDA (the Food and Drug Administration in the United States) and Health Canada approve medications and treatments in a different way,” Kizlyk said.

“We will need the full study results and more information and then it will need to be reviewed by Health Canada and other governing bodies to help determine if it’s going to be an appropriate therapy to use for coronavirus.”