Easy-to-read medicine information about colchicine – what it is, how to take colchicine safely and possible side effects.
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What is colchicine?
Colchicine is used for the treatment of gout flares to relieve pain and swelling. It is also used for the prevention of gout attacks while starting on urate-lowering therapy such as allopurinol, febuxostat or benzbromarone. In New Zealand, colchicine is available as tablets (0.5 mg).
How does colchicine work?
Colchicine works by reducing the buildup of uric acid crystals in the affected joints and in this way reduces pain and swelling from gout. It is usually used when other medicines for gout like non-steroidal anti-inflammatories cannot be used or don’t work well enough. Read more about gout.
Watch a video about colchicine for gout.
Dose
Colchicine is considered a high-risk medication because it can cause serious side effects. There isn’t a big difference between a safe dose of colchicine and a harmful dose. Always take colchicine exactly as your doctor has told you to.
- The pharmacy label on your medicine will tell you how much colchicine to take, how often to take it, and any special instructions.
- Never take more than the prescribed dose.
- Taking too much colchicine can cause serious problems.
Dosing information |
Dose for the treatment of a gout attack or gout flareColchicine works best if you take it at the first sign (within 12 hours) of an acute gout attack.
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Colchicine for the prevention of gout attacks (prophylactic colchicine)Colchicine can be used for the prevention of gout attacks while starting on urate-lowering therapy such as allopurinol, febuxostat or benzbromarone.
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How to take colchicine
- Swallow your colchicine tablet whole with a full glass of water.
- Take colchicine with food to reduce stomach upset.
- Avoid drinking alcohol while you are taking colchicine – it can cause stomach problems.
- Do not drink grapefruit juice while you are on colchicine. This is because grapefruit juice increases the risk that you will experience side-effects from the colchicine.
Precautions – while taking colchicine
Colchicine can cause serious side effects. Here are a few precautions to reduce the risk of harmful effects.
- Never take more than the dose prescribed by your doctor.
- Stop taking colchicine immediately if you develop tummy pain, diarrhoea (runny poos), nausea or vomiting, even if you still have gout pain.
- Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all other medications you are taking – colchicine can be harmful when taken with some other medicines like antibiotics and medicines for pain relief.
- Always store colchicine out of reach of children – even a couple of tablets may be fatal for children.
Precautions – before taking colchicine
- Do you have problems with your kidneys, heart or liver?
- Do you have problems with your stomach or indigestion?
- Do you have any blood disorders?
- Are you pregnant, trying for a baby or breastfeeding?
- Are you taking any other medicines? This includes any medicines you buy without a prescription, such as herbal and complementary medicines.
If so, it’s important that you tell your doctor or pharmacist before you start colchicine. Sometimes a medicine isn’t suitable for a person with certain conditions, or it can only be used with extra care.
Possible side effects
Colchicine can cause serious side effects, although not everyone gets them.
Signs of taking too much colchicine
There isn’t a big difference between a safe dose of colchicine and a harmful dose. People who are over 65 years of age are especially at risk. Signs that you may be taking too much colchicine include tummy pain, runny poos, vomiting or not feeling well (nausea) or a burning feeling in your throat, stomach or on your skin. If you get any of these symptoms, stop taking colchicine immediately and contact your doctor immediately or ring HealthLine 0800 611 116.
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Interactions
Colchicine interacts with a few medications and herbal supplements, so check with your doctor or pharmacist.
Learn more
The following links have more information on colchicine:
Colchicine (Māori) New Zealand Formulary Patient Information
Colchicine SafeRx
Colgout Medsafe Consumer Information Sheet
References
- Spotlight on colchicine Medsafe 2018
- Keeping patients informed about colchicine use Medsafe 2014
- Managing gout in primary care BPAC, 2018
- Colchicine New Zealand Formulary