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Colchicine
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Description
Colchicine is an anti-gout agent which is used to prevent gout attacks and Familial Mediterranean Fever. It should be started at low doses and increased gradually. It is not recommended in patients with a known history of kidney and liver disease.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Colchicine
Diarrhea
Nausea and Vomiting
Stomach pain
Headache
Muscle weakness
Skin rash
Fever with chills
Numbness of the hands
Hair loss
Decreased appetite
Uses of Colchicine
What is it prescribed for?
Acute Gout
Colchicine is used in the treatment of gout which is a type of arthritis characterized by pain and inflammation of joints.
Familial Mediterranean Fever
Colchicine is used in the treatment of Familial Mediterranean Fever which is an inherited condition characterized by recurrent fevers and painful inflammation of your abdomen, chest, and joints.
Concerns
Commonly asked questions
Onset of action
The effect of this medicine can be observed in 18 to 24 hours.Duration of effect
The effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 6 to 30 hours.Safe with alcohol?
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.Is it habit forming?
No habit forming tendency has reported.Usage in pregnancy?
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women.Usage while breast-feeding?
This medicine is known to be excreted in breast milk. This medicine is not recommended in breastfeeding women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. It is advised to take this medicine after breastfeeding to minimize the infant's exposure.
Allergy
Not recommended in patients with known allergy to Colchicine.
Impaired kidney function
Not recommended in patients with severe kidney disease.
Impaired Liver function
Not recommended in patients with severe liver disease.
Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors
Not recommended in patients receiving medicines like ritonavir, clarithromycin, ketoconazole.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is known to be excreted in breast milk. This medicine is not recommended in breastfeeding women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. It is advised to take this medicine after breastfeeding to minimize the infant's exposure.
General warnings
Neuromuscular Toxicity
This medicine is known to cause neuromuscular toxicity and rhabdomyolysis especially in kidney disease and elderly patients. The treatment should be started at low doses and increased gradually based on the response. These symptoms resolve within a week or more after discontinuation of the treatment.
Fatal Overdose
This medicine is known to cause potential risk in adults and children who are exposed to doses more than prescribed. It is advised to keep this medicine out of the reach of children.
Electrolyte Disturbances
This medicine should be used with caution due to an increase in the risk of vomiting. This effect causes an imbalance in the sodium and potassium levels. Close monitoring of electrolyte level is necessary. The treatment should be initiated only when the electrolyte levels are corrected.
Missed Dose
The missed dose can be taken as soon as you remember. However, the missed dose should be skipped if it is almost the time for the next dose.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Metronidazole
Digoxin
Azole antifungal agents
Atorvastatin
Disease interactions
Bone marrow suppression
Colchicine should be used with caution due to the increased risk of Bone Marrow Suppression. Regular monitoring of blood counts is necessary to prevent further complications.
Cardiac Dysfunction
Colchicine should be used with caution in patients with heart diseases. The dose should be adjusted to prevent further complications.
Food interactions
Consumption of grapefruit juice is not recommended in patients receiving Colchicine. Any symptoms of abdominal pain, muscle pain, numbness should be reported to the doctor.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Colchicine as instructed by the doctor. Do not take larger quantities than prescribed. This medicine should be used with caution due to an increase in the risk of gastrointestinal effects like vomiting, diarrhea. Close monitoring of electrolytes and blood count is necessary. Do not take this medicine if you have a kidney or liver injury.
Miscelleneous
How it works
It works by inhibiting the migration of natural substances that cause inflammation into the inflamed area.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Antigout agents
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. 2017 [cited 7 June 2017]. Available from:
DailyMed - Colchicine tablet [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 7 June 2017]. Available from:
[Internet]. Toxnet.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 7 June 2017]. Available from:
Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database [Internet]. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 2017 [cited 7 June 2017]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 8 Jan 2018
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.