Drug Facts

Type of Drug:

Agent for treating acute gout attacks and preventing or delaying a recurrence of symptoms.

How the Colchicine Product Works:

Gout is a hereditary form of arthritis characterized by increased blood levels of uric acid. Colchicine decreases the inflammatory response to uric acid crystals that occurs in gout. However, it does not lower uric acid levels and thus does not treat the underlying cause of gout. Colchicine relieves pain but it is not an analgesic. Its suppressive effect helps reduce the incidence of gout attacks.

Uses of The Colchicine:

Colchicine:

To relieve pain of acute gout attacks. Works most effectively if administered early in the attack.

To prevent or delay acute attacks of gout (prophylaxis).

Probenecid and colchicine combination:

For the treatment of chronic gouty arthritis when complicated by frequent, recurrent acute attacks of gout.

Unlabeled Uses: Occasionally doctors may prescribe colchicine for treatment of certain types of cirrhosis, familial Mediterranean fever, primary amyloidosis, Behcet’s disease, pseudogout, skin manifestations of scleroderma, refractory idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, and chronic progressive multiple sclerosis.

Precautions:

• Pregnancy: Colchicine can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking it, notify the woman of the potential hazared to the fetus.
• Breastfeeding: It is not known if colchicine appears in breast milk. Consult your doctor before you begin breastfeeding.
• Children: Safety and effectiveness for use in children have not been established. Do not use the probenecid and colchicine combination in children younger than 2 years of age.
• Elderly: Administer colchicine with great caution to elderly and debilitated patients, especially those with kidney, digestive tract, or heart disease. Reduce dosage if weakness, appetite loss, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea appears.
• Lab Tests: Lab tests may be required during treatment with colchicine. Tests may include blood counts and uric acid levels.

Drug Interactions:

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or if you are planning to take any over-the-counter or prescription medications or dietary supplements with colchicine or the probenecid and colchicine combination. Doses of one or both drugs may need to be modified or a different drug may need to be prescribed. The following drugs and drug classes interact with colchicine.

Side Effects:

Every drug is capable of producing side effects. Many colchicine users experience no, or minor, side effects. The frequency and severity of side effects depend on many factors including dose, duration of therapy, and individual susceptibility. Possible side effects include:

Colchicine: Vomiting; nausea; diarrhea; stomach pain; muscle weakness; hair loss; sore throat; unusual bleeding or bruising; tingling in hands or feet; abnormal blood counts; bone marrow depression; rash; agranulocytosis; decreased blood platelets; red or purple spots under the skin; a plastic anemia.

Probenecid and colchicine combination: Headache; dizziness; hepatic necrosis; vomiting; nausea; appetite loss; sore gums; nephrotic syndrome; uric acid stones with or without blood in the urine; renal colic; rib and vertebra pain; frequent urination; precipitation of acute gouty arthritis; allergic reaction; fever; rash; hives; itching; aplastic anemia; decreased white blood counts; hemolytic anemia; anemia; skin inflammation; hair loss; flushing; diarrhea; stomach pain; muscle weakness; sore throat; unusual bleeding or bruising; tingling in hands or feet; agranulocytosis; red or purple spots under the skin; abnormal blood counts; bone marrow depression.

Tagged under:acid crystals, amyloidosis, cause of gout, chronic gouty arthritis, familial mediterranean fever, gout attacks, nausea vomiting skin manifestations