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colchicine
Used for Gout
Used for Gout
Colchicine 0.6 mg tablet, also known by its brand name Colcrys, is used to treat and prevent gout flares (attacks) in adults. It can also treat a genetic condition called familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) in people ages 4 years and up. Colchicine (Colcrys) works as an anti-inflammatory medication. In general, you take your dose by mouth once or twice per day. To treat a gout flare, it's taken once at the first sign of the attack, then again an hour later. Side effects include diarrhea and nausea. Colchicine (Colcrys) is available as a brand-name and generic medication.
What is Colchicine (Colcrys)?
What is Colchicine (Colcrys) used for?
- Prevention and treatment of gout flares in adults
- Treatment of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) in people ages 4 years and older
How Colchicine (Colcrys) works
Colchicine (Colcrys) is an anti-inflammatory medication. It works by blocking certain immune cells that cause inflammation. This can help relieve pain related to gout or FMF.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Colcrys |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Antigout |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Colchicine (Colcrys)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Diarrhea (up to 77%)
- Nausea (up to 17%)
- Vomiting (up to 17%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Throat pain
Note: Side effects were from people with gout. Side effects might differ for people with FMF.
Colchicine (Colcrys) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Taking too much medication (overdose): severe dehydration, multiple organ failure, trouble breathing
- Low blood cell counts: fever, tiredness, chills, cough, trouble breathing, pale skin, fast heart rate, lightheadedness, easy bleeding or bruising
- Severe muscle damage (rhabdomyolysis): dark brown urine, severe muscle weakness or pain, fever, tiredness, trouble moving arms or legs
When do Colchicine (Colcrys) possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
H
D
W
M
Diarrhea
Nausea
More on Colchicine (Colcrys) side effects
The following Colchicine (Colcrys) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Infection—fever, chills, cough, sore throat, wounds that don't heal, pain or trouble when passing urine, general feeling of discomfort or being unwell
- Muscle injury—unusual weakness or fatigue, muscle pain, dark yellow or brown urine, decrease in amount of urine
- Pain, tingling, or numbness in the hands or feet
- Unusual bruising or bleeding
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
Get your GoodRx coupon
$209.73
GoodRx discount
$17.90
Pros and cons of Colchicine (Colcrys)
Pros
- Works well for preventing and treating gout flares
- A first-choice option for managing FMF
- Appears to be safe while pregnant or breastfeeding
Cons
- Can cause some stomach upset
- Available by prescription only; not over the counter
- Interacts with a lot of medications and grapefruit
Pharmacist tips for Colchicine (Colcrys)
- You can take colchicine (Colcrys) with or without food. If it's hurting your stomach, taking it with food might help. But be sure to avoid grapefruit or grapefruit juice because it can raise your risk of side effects.
- Talk to your prescriber or pharmacist if you need to split the colchicine (Colcrys) tablet for your dose or have trouble swallowing it whole. You might be able to use a pill cutter to split it along the score line. But check first to make sure it's safe for you.
- When you have a gout flare (attack): Take 2 colchicine (Colcrys) pills at the first sign of an attack. Then an hour later, take another pill. After that, wait 12 hours before taking your usual dose for prevention.
- How often to take colchicine (Colcrys) for gout attacks: Ask your prescriber how often you can take the medication to treat gout attacks. Most times, you'll need to wait 3 days before you can take the medication to treat symptoms of the same gout attack or another gout attack.
- Let your prescriber know if you have side effects from colchicine (Colcrys) that bother you. This includes nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, or stomach pain. Your prescriber can see if your dose needs to be adjusted to help. They can also provide more guidance on how to manage these side effects.
- Tell your care team about all the medications you take or plan to take. They can check for interactions with colchicine (Colcrys) and make changes if needed. Your risk of side effects can be higher when you take colchicine (Colcrys) with certain medications. This includes diltiazem (Cardizem), digoxin (Lanoxin), statins, and some antifungals. To keep you safe, your care team can make dose adjustments.
- If you need more pain relief, talk to a healthcare professional. They can check if it's safe to take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) for more pain relief. These don't interact with colchicine (Colcrys), but they might not be safe for everyone. Remember, colchicine (Colcrys) is only gout or FMF pain and shouldn't be used for other types of pain.
- If you can father a child, talk to your prescriber about your plans to have children. Although rare, colchicine (Colcrys) might affect fertility. It might make it harder to have a child. This effect might go away after you stop taking the medication.
More on Colchicine (Colcrys) tips
Risks and warnings for Colchicine (Colcrys)
Colchicine (Colcrys) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Life-threatening overdose
An overdose of colchicine (Colcrys) can happen if you take too much of the medication. This is serious and life-threatening. Only take colchicine (Colcrys) as directed by your prescriber. And keep the medication out of reach from children.
Early symptoms of a colchicine (Colcrys) overdose include stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. These can lead to serious dehydration. More dangerous symptoms can happen later. That's why it's important to get help as soon as possible. If you think you or someone else has overdosed on colchicine (Colcrys), call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 or call 911 right away.
Low blood cell counts
- Risk factors: Taking other medications that raise the amount of colchicine (Colcrys) in the body | Kidney or liver problems
Colchicine (Colcrys) can sometimes lower your blood cell counts, which can be serious. Low white blood cells can put you at risk of infection. Low platelets can make you bleed or bruise more easily. And low red blood cells can lead to anemia.
Tell your care team right away if you have signs of a low blood cell count while taking colchicine (Colcrys). These can include fever, tiredness, chills, cough, or trouble breathing. Other signs include pale skin, fast heart rate, dizziness, or easy bruising or bleeding.
Drug interactions
Colchicine (Colcrys) can interact with many medications. These interactions can make the level of colchicine (Colcrys) in your body get too high. This can lead to dangerous side effects.
Some examples include heart medications called calcium channel blockers (CCBs) like diltiazem (Cardizem). It can also include digoxin (Lanoxin). Other examples are statins and fibrates for cholesterol. Even more are certain antifungals and antivirals.
Make sure your healthcare team has a full list of the medications you take. Also let your prescriber know if you have any liver or kidney problems. These health issues can make the effects of some drug interactions worse. Your prescriber can adjust the dose of your medications if needed to keep you safe.
Nerve or muscle toxicity
- Risk factors: Older adults | Taking statins or fibrates with colchicine (Colcrys) | Taking other medications that raise the amount of colchicine (Colcrys) in the body | Kidney problems
Some people who take colchicine (Colcrys) for a long time have had nerve or muscle problems. Although rare, it can include a serious condition called rhabdomyolysis, where muscles get damaged and break down.
The risk of muscle damage is higher for older people and those with kidney problems. It also might be higher if you take statins, fibrates, or cyclosporine (Neoral, Gengraf, or Sandimmune).
If you have muscle pain or weakness, dark or red urine, or trouble moving your arms or legs while taking colchicine (Colcrys), get medical help right away. These can be signs of muscle or nerve problems. You might need to stop taking the medication. These symptoms often go away within a week, but sometimes months, after stopping.
Colchicine (Colcrys) dosage
The average cost for 30 tablets of 0.6mg of Colchicine (Colcrys) is $17.90 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 91.47% off the average retail price of $209.73. 
Tablet
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.6mg | 30 tablets | $17.90 | $0.60 |
Typical dosage for Colchicine (Colcrys)
-
Gout in people 16 years and up
- Prevention of gout flare: The typical dose is 0.6 mg by mouth once or twice a day. The maximum dose is 1.2 mg per day.
- Treatment of gout flare: The typical dose is 1.2 mg by mouth at the first sign of a gout attack, then 0.6 mg one hour later. The maximum dose is 1.8 mg (3 tablets) over a 1-hour period.
-
Familial Mediterranean fever in people 4 years and up
- Age older than 12 years: The typical dose is 1.2 mg to 2.4 mg by mouth per day. The daily dose can be taken all at once or split into two even doses throughout the day.
- Age 6 to under 12 years old: The typical dose ranges from 0.9 mg to 1.8 mg by mouth per day. The dose can be taken as a single dose or split into two even doses throughout the day.
- Age 4 to under 6 years old: The typical dose ranges from 0.3 mg to 1.8 mg by mouth per day. The dose can be taken as a single dose or split into two even doses throughout the day.
Your dose might differ if you take a medication that interacts with colchicine (Colcrys). It also might differ if you have kidney or liver problems.
More on Colchicine (Colcrys) dosage
How much does Colchicine (Colcrys) cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Colchicine (Colcrys) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Colchicine (Colcrys) will not be safe for you to take.
- Kidney or liver problems and also take a medication that interacts with colchicine (Colcrys)
What are alternatives to Colchicine (Colcrys)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Colchicine (Colcrys). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
News about Colchicine (Colcrys)
How Do You Take Colchicine for Acute Gout? Plus, 7 More Colchicine FAQs
Colchicine helps prevent and treat gout attacks. Learn how to take colchicine for acute gout, plus how it works and how long it stays in your system.
Foods to Avoid When Taking Colchicine for Gout (Plus 5 More Pharmacist-Backed Tips)
It’s best to avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice when taking colchicine as it can cause an interaction. Get more tips for taking colchicine here.
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