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Lodoco

colchicine

Used for Heart Attack, Stroke Risk Reduction

Lodoco (colchicine) is a medication that lowers the risk of stroke and heart problems in adults with risk factors for heart disease. Side effects include muscle pain and stomach problems (e.g., diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain). Lodoco (colchicine) is a different medication from colchicine (Colcrys, Mitigare), which is used for gout. But these two medications shouldn't be used together because they contain the same active ingredient and have the same risks.

Reviewed by:

Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP

Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD

Last reviewed on June 29, 2023

Basics Side effects Pros & cons Pharmacist tips FAQs Warnings Dosage Cost Contraindications Images References Prices Medicare

What is Lodoco (colchicine)?

What is Lodoco (colchicine) used for?

To lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart-related death in adults with atherosclerotic heart disease or other risk factors for heart disease

How Lodoco (colchicine) works

Lodoco (colchicine) is an anti-inflammatory medication. It's not exactly known how Lodoco (colchicine) works to lower the risk of stroke and heart problems. But it's thought to help by lowering inflammation in the body.

Are you looking for information on colchicine (Colcrys, Mitigare) for gout instead?

Drug Facts

Common BrandsLodoco

Drug ClassAnti-inflammatory

Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication

Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available

AvailabilityPrescription only

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Avg retail price

$618.58(save 95.15%)

What are the side effects of Lodoco (colchicine)?

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

Muscle pain (21%)

Other Side Effects

Stomach problems (e.g., diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramping or pain)

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.

Low blood cell counts: fever, tiredness, chills, cough, trouble breathing, pale skin, fast heart rate, lightheadedness, blood in your urine or stool
Severe muscle damage (rhabdomyolysis): dark brown urine, severe muscle weakness or pain, fever, tiredness

Source: FDA

The following 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 the amount of urine
Pain, tingling, or numbness in the hands or feet
Unusual bleeding or bruising

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

Diarrhea
Nausea
Vomiting

Pros and cons of Lodoco (colchicine)

Pros

Lowers the chance of major heart problems and stroke in certain adults

Taken by mouth once per day

Can take with or without food

Cons

Can interact with many medications, including atorvastatin (Lipitor) and diltiazem (Cardizem)

Can cause muscle problems and low blood cell counts

Shouldn't take Lodoco (colchicine) and anti-gout medication colchicine (Colcrys, Mitigare) together because of risk of toxicity

Pharmacist tips for Lodoco (colchicine)

You can take Lodoco (colchicine) with or without food. But it can cause stomach problems (e.g., vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain), so taking it with food might help.

Avoid grapefruit or grapefruit juice while taking Lodoco (colchicine) because it can raise the amount of the medication in your body. This can raise your risk of side effects.

If you miss a dose of Lodoco (colchicine), take it as soon as possible and then return to your regular dosing schedule. Never double up your tablets to make up for a missed dose because this can lead to side effects.

Make sure to mark your calendar with your appointments to see your provider and to get any blood work done when you take Lodoco (colchicine). Because the medication can lower your blood cell counts, your provider might order blood work for a complete blood count (CBC) during treatment to measure the levels of different blood cells. They'll also discuss with you about any side effects you might be experiencing from the medication (e.g., muscle pain).

Lodoco (colchicine) interacts with many medications. Some of these interactions can lead to dangerous and life-threatening side effects. Make sure to let your provider and pharmacist know about all the medications you're taking (including vitamins and supplements) before starting Lodoco (colchicine) so that they can help you check for interactions. If there are many interactions, your provider might even switch you to a different medication.

Frequently asked questions about Lodoco (colchicine)

How well does Lodoco (colchicine) work to prevent heart problems?

In a study looking at how well the medication works, people who took Lodoco (colchicine) had about a 30% lower chance of heart-related death, heart attack, or stroke than people who didn't take the medication. Another recent study showed that people taking Lodoco (colchicine) had a 35% lower chance of major heart problems (e.g., heart attack) and about a 50% lower chance of stroke. It's not completely clear what effect Lodoco (colchicine) has on other heart issues or complications, like heart failure or hospitalizations from heart problems.

What's the difference between Lodoco (colchicine) and colchicine for gout?

Lodoco and Colcrys, Mitigare, and Gloperba are brand medications that all contain colchicine as the active ingredient. The main difference is that Lodoco (colchicine) is used to lower the risk of stroke and heart problems, whereas Colcrys, Mitigare, Gloperba, and their generics are used for gout and familial Mediterranean fever. In addition, they have different dosages; the dose of Lodoco (colchicine) is 0.5 mg per day, while the dose for Colcrys, Mitigare, Gloperba, and their generics ranges from 0.3 mg to 1.8 mg per day. You should only use one colchicine medication at a time to prevent colchicine overdose.

Can I take Lodoco (colchicine) to treat my gout symptoms?

No. Lodoco (colchicine) isn't approved to help with gout; only take Lodoco (colchicine) exactly as prescribed. If you also have gout problems, talk to your provider about your treatment options for gout. While there's a gout medication called colchicine (Colcrys, Mitigare) that contains the same active ingredient as Lodoco (colchicine), they're different medications. Taking colchicine for gout and for heart and stroke protection at the same time is dangerous because this can raise your risk for a serious and life-threatening colchicine overdose.

What medications can you not take with Lodoco (colchicine)?

There are many medication interactions with Lodoco (colchicine) that can be harmful. Lodoco (colchicine) shouldn't be taken with clarithroymcin, ketoconazole, itraconazole (Sporanox), nefazodone, and some HIV medications because these medications can cause high levels of Lodoco (colchicine) in your body. This can lead to severe and life-threatening side effects. There are other drug interactions that can raise your risk of side effects, such as taking Lodoco (colchicine) with fluconazole (Diflucan), diltiazem (Cardizem), statins, or fibrates. But it's possible to take these medications with Lodoco (colchicine) as long as you don't have kidney or liver problems and you're aware of the side effects to look out for. Keep in mind that this isn't a complete list of medications that interact with Lodoco (colchicine). For this reason, it's very important to tell your provider and pharmacist about all the medications and over-the-counter products you're taking or planning to take. They can help check for interactions and make sure your medications are safe to take with Lodoco (colchicine).

Does Lodoco (colchicine) cause muscle pain?

It might. In clinical studies with colchicine, the active ingredient of Lodoco (colchicine), about 21% of people reported that they had muscle pain. Keep in mind that taking Lodoco (colchicine) with common cholesterol medications called statins and fibrates can raise your risk for muscle pain as well. If you experience muscle pain or muscle weakness while taking Lodoco (colchicine), contact your provider. Be sure to get medical help right away if you also notice dark-colored urine or fever in addition to muscle pain because these might be signs of a serious condition called rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown).

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What are the risks and warnings for Lodoco (colchicine)?

Lodoco (colchicine) 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.

Low blood cell counts

Risk factors: Taking other medications that lower blood cell counts | Taking other medications that raise the amount of Lodoco (colchicine) in the body | Kidney or liver problems

Lodoco (colchicine) can lower your blood cell counts, which can be serious and life-threatening. This can raise the risk of serious infections, bleeding, and anemia. If you develop any signs of infection (e.g., fever, tiredness, chills, cough, trouble breathing) or signs of blood problems (pale skin, fast heart rate, lightheadedness, blood in your urine or stool), contact your provider right away.

Severe muscle pain and damage

Risk factors: Taking statins or fibrates with Lodoco (colchicine) | Taking other medications that raise the amount of Lodoco (colchicine) in the body | Kidney or liver problems

Lodoco (colchicine) can cause muscle pain. It can also cause a rare, but serious and life-threatening muscle problem called rhabdomyolysis. If you notice any of symptoms of rhabdomyolysis, such as severe muscle pain, dark-colored urine, weakness, and tiredness, stop Lodoco (colchicine) and get medical attention right away.

Life-threatening overdose

Lodoco (colchicine) overdose is serious and life-threatening. Only take Lodoco (colchicine) as directed by your healthcare provider. Keep all medications, including Lodoco (colchicine), out of reach from children. Early symptoms of a Lodoco (colchicine) overdose include stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration. If you think you or a loved one has overdosed on Lodoco (colchicine), call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 or get medical help right away.

Lodoco (colchicine) dosage forms

The average cost for 30 tablets of 0.5mg of Lodoco (colchicine) is $30.00 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 95.15% off the average retail price of $618.58.

Tablet

Dosage	Quantity	Price as low as	Price per unit
0.5mg	30 tablets	$30.00	$1.00

Typical dosing for Lodoco (colchicine)

The typical dose is 0.5 mg by mouth once per day.

How much does Lodoco (colchicine) cost?

To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.

Lodoco (brand)

GoodRx lowest price

$200.00

(save 67.67%)

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Lodoco (colchicine) 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 Lodoco (colchicine) will not be safe for you to take.

Using certain medications that interact with Lodoco (colchicine)
Severe kidney or liver problems
History of blood cell problems or low blood cell counts

Lodoco (colchicine) images

This medicine is Yellow, Round Tablet Imprinted With "L1".Yellow Round L1 - LODOCO 0.5mg Tablet

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References

Best studies we found

Abrantes, A. M., et al. (2021). Low-dose colchicine in coronary artery disease - Systematic review and meta-analysis (Table 2). Circulation Reports.

Abrantes, A. M., et al. (2021). Low-dose colchicine in coronary artery disease - Systematic review and meta-analysis. Circulation Reports.

Agepha Pharma USA, LLC. (2023). Lodoco (colchicine) tablets, for oral use [package insert]. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

View All References (4)

Chew, E., et al. (2021). The therapeutic potential of the ancient drug colchicine. American College of Cardiology.

Finkelstein, Y., et al. (2010). Colchicine poisoning: The dark side of an ancient drug. Clinical Toxicology.

National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. (n.d.). Familial Mediterranean fever.

Nidorf, S. M., et al. (2020). Colchicine in patients with chronic coronary disease. The New England Journal of Medicine.

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

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