colchicine at a glance
Medicine class
Anti-gout anti-inflammatory that does not lower uric acid.
Usual uses
Treating acute gout and preventing flares when urate-lowering treatment begins.
Administration
Swallow whole with water. Taking it with or after food may be gentler on the stomach.
Important safety point
There is a small margin between an effective amount and overdose; follow the prescription exactly.
What is colchicine used for?
The selected product is licensed for gout in adults.
Treatment of acute gout attacks.
Prevention of gout attacks when allopurinol or a uricosuric treatment is started.
How does colchicine work?
Colchicine reduces the inflammatory response to urate crystals by affecting microtubules and inflammatory white blood cells. It does not remove crystals or reduce uric acid.
colchicine preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 500 micrograms
How to take colchicine
Follow the prescription exactly and do not take extra tablets. Swallow tablets whole with water; food may reduce stomach discomfort. Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice because they can increase colchicine exposure.
Check with a pharmacist or prescriber before starting any new prescription, over-the-counter or herbal product.
Do not share colchicine with anyone else.
colchicine side effects
Common or expected effects
- Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. These can be early signs of toxicity, so stop colchicine and seek urgent medical advice.
Get urgent medical advice
- Bone-marrow suppression: fever, sore mouth or throat, unusual bruising, persistent bleeding or skin marks.
- Muscle injury: new muscle pain or weakness, sometimes with dark urine.
- Gastrointestinal bleeding.
- Severe allergic reaction, including swelling, breathing difficulty, collapse or a widespread severe rash.
colchicine in pregnancy
The selected product lists pregnancy as a contraindication. Independent UK pregnancy information notes that colchicine may sometimes be used after specialist assessment because available human evidence has not raised a clear safety concern. Seek prompt specialist or prescriber advice rather than changing treatment without review.
colchicine while breastfeeding
The selected product lists breastfeeding as a contraindication. NHS information says colchicine is not usually used for gout while breastfeeding, so treatment should be reviewed with the prescriber. Seek advice if an exposed baby feeds poorly, vomits or develops diarrhoea.
colchicine interactions
Colchicine is a CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein substrate. Inhibiting either pathway can substantially increase exposure and cause severe or fatal toxicity.
Macrolide antibiotics, including clarithromycin and erythromycin
Can markedly increase colchicine exposure and toxicity; the combination requires urgent clinical review.
Azole antifungals, including ketoconazole, itraconazole and voriconazole
Can increase colchicine concentrations and the risk of life-threatening toxicity.
Common questions about colchicine
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Does colchicine lower uric acid?
No. It reduces inflammation caused by urate crystals but does not lower blood uric acid or remove existing crystals.
Is colchicine a painkiller?
Not directly. It relieves gout pain by reducing inflammation around urate crystals.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.