Colchicine (By mouth)
KOL-chi-seen
Treats and prevents gout attacks. Also treats familial Mediterranean fever (FMF).
Drug classes
Antigout (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Colchicine is used to prevent or treat attacks of gout (also called gouty arthritis). This condition is caused by too much uric acid in the blood. An attack of gout occurs when uric acid causes inflammation (pain, redness, swelling, and heat) in a joint. Colchicine does not cure gout, but it will help prevent gout attacks. Colchicine is not an ordinary pain reliever and will not relieve most kinds of pain.
Colchicine is also used to treat a rare condition called familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) in adults and children older than 4 years of age.
Colchicine may be used in 2 ways. Most people take small amounts of it regularly for a long time (months or even years) to prevent severe attacks or other problems caused by inflammation. Other people take large amounts of colchicine during a short period of time (several hours) only when the medicine is needed to relieve an attack that is occurring. The chance of serious side effects is much lower with the first (preventive) kind of treatment.
Because some of colchicine’s side effects can be very serious, you should discuss with your doctor about the benefits that this medicine can do as well as the risks of using it.
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product labeling, colchicine is used in certain patients with the following medical conditions:
Behçet’s syndrome.
Calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (pseudogout).
Sarcoid arthritis.
If you are taking colchicine for any of these conditions, the following information may apply:
For all of these conditions, colchicine is usually given regularly in small amounts to reduce inflammation (preventive treatment). This usually decreases the occurrence of severe attacks or other problems caused by inflammation.
Colchicine is not a cure for these conditions. It will help prevent problems caused by inflammation only as long as you continue to take it.
Some patients with calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (pseudogout) or familial Mediterranean fever may take larger amounts of colchicine only when an attack occurs, to relieve the attack.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Capsule, Tablet
Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
Keep using this medicine for the full treatment time, even if you feel better after the first few doses.
This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.
Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Some medicines and foods can affect how colchicine works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:
Aprepitant, cyclosporine, digoxin, diltiazem, nefazodone, ranolazine, verapamil Medicine to treat HIV or AIDS Medicine to treat an infection (such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, itraconazole, ketoconazole) Medicine to lower cholesterol (such as atorvastatin, bezafibrate, fenofibrate, fenofibric acid, fluvastatin, gemfibrozil, lovastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin)Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine.
When Not To Use
This medicine is generally considered safe for most people. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns.
Warnings
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, anemia, bleeding problems, or muscle problems.
This medicine may cause muscle problems.
This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.
Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Bloody or black tarry stools, red or dark brown urine
Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, body aches
Muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness
Numbness or tingling in your hands or feet
Pale or gray lips, tongue, or palms
Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Mild diarrhea or vomiting, nausea, stomach pain or cramps
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Colcrys, Mitigare
There may be other brand names for this medicine.