This medication is used to treat gout attacks (flares). Colchicine, when used regularly, can help prevent a gout attack. Though not a true pain reliever, colchicine relieves the pain that occurs with a gout attack. It is believed to act by decreasing the amount of swelling in the affected joint.

This medication is also used to prevent attacks of pain in the abdomen, chest, or joints caused by a certain inherited disease (familial Mediterranean fever).

Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start taking colchicine and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions regarding the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

If your doctor has directed you to take this medication to treat gout pain when it occurs, take it exactly as directed. Colchicine controls gout pain best when you take it at the beginning of an attack. At the first sign of an attack, take 1 or 2 tablets by mouth as directed. Your doctor will tell you how soon you can take another dose, how long to wait between doses, and how many tablets you can take for each gout attack. Taking too much colchicine can lead to serious side effects. Never take more of this drug or take more doses than your doctor prescribes. Stop taking this medication when the pain is gone, when you have upset stomach/diarrhea, or when you reach the limit on the number of tablets you should take.

Unless your doctor directs you otherwise, do not take more than 3 or 4 tablets in the first 24 hours. Do not take more than 10 tablets for each gout attack. Do not take more than 5 tablets for each attack if you are elderly, if you weigh less than 110 pounds (50 kilograms), or if you have liver or kidney disease.

Tell your doctor if joint pain persists, if it worsens 12 hours after the beginning of the attack, or if it is not completely gone in 2 days.

If your doctor has directed you to use this drug to treat each gout attack when it occurs, you must wait at least 3 days after your last dose of this drug before using it again to treat the next attack. Talk to your doctor about other ways to relieve gout pain during the days when you cannot use this drug.

To prevent or lessen the number of gout attacks per year, your doctor may direct you to take colchicine on a regular schedule. Dosage will be based on your medical condition, the number of gout attacks you have each year, and your response to treatment. If your doctor directs you to take colchicine regularly, take it at the same time each day to help you remember.

Before you have any surgery (including dental surgery), your dose may need to be increased a few days in advance and remain increased until a few days after surgery. Ask your doctor for details.

Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while being treated with this medication unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Grapefruit can increase the amount of certain medications in your bloodstream. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

Stomach upset, vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea may occur. To avoid severe side effects, stop taking colchicine if any of these symptoms occur, and contact your doctor immediately.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: hair loss, decreased appetite, mouth sores, difficulty urinating/incontinence (bladder spasms), constipation.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: signs of infection (such as fever, persistent sore throat), easy bruising/bleeding, yellowing of eyes/skin, fatigue, dark urine, change in the amount of urine, pink/red urine, muscle tenderness/pain, numbness/tingling of arms or legs.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before taking colchicine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: heart problems, kidney problems, liver problems (such as cirrhosis), blood disorders, alcohol dependence.

Alcohol can decrease this drug's effectiveness. Limit alcohol consumption while taking this drug.

Kidney function declines as you grow older. This medication is removed by the kidneys. Therefore, elderly people may be at greater risk for side effects while using this drug, especially muscle problems.

Colchicine can affect sperm production, which may lower male fertility. Consult your doctor for more information.

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

This medication passes into breast milk. While there have been no reports of harm to nursing infants, consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

See also How to Use section.

The effects of some drugs can change if you take other drugs or herbal products at the same time. This can increase your risk for serious side effects or may cause your medications not to work correctly. These drug interactions are possible, but do not always occur. Your doctor or pharmacist can often prevent or manage interactions by changing how you use your medications or by close monitoring.

To help your doctor and pharmacist give you the best care, be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products) before starting treatment with this product. While using this product, do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any other medicines you are using without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug include: drugs to lower cholesterol (including atorvastatin, fluvastatin, gemfibrozil), interferon-alpha, vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin).

Other medications can affect the removal of colchicine from your body, which may affect how colchicine works or increase the risk of serious side effects. Examples include azole antifungals (such as itraconazole, ketoconazole), cyclosporine, HIV medications (such as ritonavir), macrolide antibiotics (such as clarithromycin), verapamil, among others.

This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests (e.g., test for blood in the urine), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and your doctors know you use this drug.

This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use. Share this list with your doctor and pharmacist to lessen your risk for serious medication problems.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly. Symptoms of overdose may include: bloody diarrhea, blood in the urine, change in the amount of urine, muscle weakness, seizures, confusion.

Do not share this medication with others.

Colchicine relieves only pain due to gout. It should not be used for any other type of pain.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., liver function, kidney function, and blood counts) should be performed from time to time to monitor your progress or check for side effects.

If you are taking colchicine regularly and miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Store at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Information last revised August 2009 Copyright(c) 2009 First DataBank, Inc.