Colchicine

Please note: these are basic guidelines, refer to your doctor for a professional medical opinion.

Popular brand names:

Colchicine Houde, Lennon-Colchicine

Drug group:

Drug for gout

Prescription needed?

Yes

What does it do?

• Colchicine is mainly used to relieve joint pain and inflammation in gout
• It is occasionally prescribed for the relief of symptoms of familial Mediterranean fever (a rare congenital condition)

How should it be used?

• Colchicine is most effective when taken at the first sign of symptoms
• Avoid triggers – alcohol and certain foods are known to make gout worse

What is the typical dosage?

Your doctor will recommend a dosage tailored to your need, but typically:

• Prevention of gout attacks: 1–1.5mg daily, taken 1-2x daily
  (useful during the first few months of treatment with allopurinol or probenecid because these may at first increase the frequency of gout attacks)
• Relief of gout attacks: 1mg initially, followed by 0.5mg every 4 hours
• Until: relief of pain, vomiting/diarrhoea, or until a total dose of 6mg is reached
• This course must not be repeated within 3 days

How quickly will it start to work?

Gout attacks: relief of symptoms in 6–24 hours.

Gout prevention: full effect may not be felt for several days.

How long will the effects last?

Up to 2 hours, (some effect may last longer)
              

When should I stop using it?

Gout attack: stop when pain relief or abdominal symptoms or total dose (6mg) reached.

Gout prevention: Do not stop without consulting your doctor.

Is it safe for prolonged use?

Long-term use of this drug may lead to hair loss, rashes, tingling in the hands and feet, muscle pain and weakness, and blood disorders. Monitoring is needed.

What are the possible side effects?

The following have been reported:

• More common: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain
• Less common: numbness and tingling, unusual bleeding or bruising, rash
• Report to your doctor before taking your next dose if you experience: any symptom that may be related to colchicine

What other considerations are important?

Dosage may be adjusted by your doctor under certain conditions.

• Certain health problems: liver/kidney/heart problems, blood disorders, stomach ulcers, chronic inflammation of the bowel
• Other medicines: ciclosporin, erythromycin/clarithromycin, statins, protease inhibitors
• Pregnancy: Not recommended, may cause defects in the unborn baby
• Breast-feeding: Not recommended, may affect the baby
• Children: Not recommended
• Over 60: Increased risk of side effects
• Driving and hazardous work: No special problems
• Alcohol: Avoid, increases stomach irritation caused by colchicine