In a multicentre, double-blind, randomized, controlled trial called ICAP, 240 patients with a first attack of acute pericarditis were randomly assigned to receive colchicine or placebo daily for 3 months, in addition to conventional anti-inflammatory therapy. Over an average follow-up of 22 months, fewer patients in the colchicine group had incessant or recurrent pericarditis than in the control group (16.7% vs 37.5%; relative risk reduction in the colchicine group 0.56, 95% CI 0.30–0.72, P <0.001; number needed to treat 4). Adverse event rates were similar in the two treatment groups, as were rates of study-drug discontinuation. The trial investigators point out that “further research is needed to identify the best duration of colchicine treatment”.