Allopurinol vs. Colchicine for Gout: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Allopurinol

(Zyloprim)

Colchicine

(Colcrys)

Summary for Allopurinol

Prescription only

Allopurinol (Zyloprim) is a xanthine oxidase inhibitor that lowers uric acid levels in the body. It's used to treat gout in adults. This prescription medication can also prevent recurrent calcium oxalate kidney stones in adults. In addition, allopurinol (Zyloprim) helps prevent tumor lysis syndrome in people with cancer who are taking certain chemotherapy (cancer medications). Allopurinol (Zyloprim) is a lower-cost generic tablet that's taken by mouth. Side effects are generally mild but can include diarrhea and nausea.

Indications for Allopurinol

Gout in adults
Prevention of tumor lysis syndrome from certain chemotherapy medications in adults and children with cancer
Recurrent calcium oxalate kidney stones in adults

Pros and Cons for Allopurinol

Pros

First-choice option for treating gout
Can take with or without food
Available as a lower-cost generic

Cons

Might raise the risk for gout attacks in the first few weeks (since your uric acid levels are rapidly changing during this time)
Can cause kidney stones, especially in people who don't drink a lot of fluids
Possible risk for low blood cell levels and liver damage

Common Side Effects for Allopurinol

Diarrhea
Nausea
High liver enzyme levels
Rash

Warnings for Allopurinol

Severe skin reaction
More gout attacks
Kidney stones and kidney injury
Liver damage
Low blood cell counts
Sleepiness and dizziness

Summary for Colchicine

Prescription only

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.

Indications for Colchicine

Prevention and treatment of gout flares in adults
Treatment of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) in people ages 4 years and older

Pros and Cons for Colchicine

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

Common Side Effects for Colchicine

Diarrhea (up to 77%)
Nausea (up to 17%)
Vomiting (up to 17%)

Warnings for Colchicine

Life-threatening overdose
Low blood cell counts
Drug interactions
Nerve or muscle toxicity

Prices with our coupons for Allopurinol vs. Colchicine

Allopurinol30 tablets / 100mg

$9.39$9.40

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Colchicine30 tablets / 0.6mg

$17.38$80.58

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Allopurinol vs. Colchicine

Allopurinol

Colchicine

Summary for Allopurinol

Indications for Allopurinol

Pros and Cons for Allopurinol

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Allopurinol

Warnings for Allopurinol

Summary for Colchicine

Indications for Colchicine

Pros and Cons for Colchicine

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Colchicine

Warnings for Colchicine

Prices with our coupons for Allopurinol vs. Colchicine

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Allopurinol

Colchicine

Summary for Allopurinol

Indications for Allopurinol

Pros and Cons for Allopurinol

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Allopurinol

Warnings for Allopurinol

Summary for Colchicine

Indications for Colchicine

Pros and Cons for Colchicine

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Colchicine

Warnings for Colchicine