What Does Colchicine Do For Gout

Considerations And Contraindications For Taking Colchicine

Pregnant women must weigh the risks and benefits of colchicine use. Colchicine should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Colchicine can arrest cell division, so it may be a significant risk to take the drug while pregnant. Caution should also be exercised when colchicine is administered to a woman who is nursing.

Gout Doctor Discussion Guide

Taking Care Of Your Child

Your child may need emotional support or counseling when theyre diagnosed and learn that they have to take medicine every day for life. If your childs fevers keep them out of school or social activities, it may be upsetting.

Tell your childs school principal, teachers, and counselors that your child has been diagnosed with FMF so they can be aware of symptoms and help them keep up with schoolwork if they have to stay home for a few days.

Provide Patients With Clear Instructions About Colchicine Use

Inform patients that colchicine can effectively relieve the pain of acute gout at doses lower than those they may have used in the past. An analgesic such as paracetamol can be taken while waiting for colchicine to take effect during an acute gout flare.15

Self-care strategies include placing an ice pack on the affected joint and using a simple device such as a cardboard box to keep bedclothes off it at night.10,20 Advise patients to elevate the limb and avoid unnecessary clothing such as socks and shoes, when possible.20

Counsel patients experiencing an acute gout flare on the revised colchicine dosing regimen:15

• take 2 colchicine tablets initially, followed by 1 colchicine tablet 1 hour later
• do not take more than 3 colchicine tablets during a course of treatment for an acute gout flare
• do not repeat the course of treatment for at least 3 days.

Discuss the safe and effective use of colchicine in acute gout. Advise patients to:2,15

• tell their doctor and pharmacist about all the medicines they take, and to check before taking any new medicines
• stop taking colchicine and see their doctor if they develop nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea unusual bleeding or bruising muscle pain or weakness or numbness or tingling in the fingers or toes
• avoid eating grapefruit and drinking grapefruit juice when taking colchicine
• be aware that colchicine is not a painkiller and should not be used for other causes or types of pain.

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Why Is This Medication Prescribed

Colchicine is used to prevent gout attacks in adults. Colchicine is also used to relieve the pain of gout attacks when they occur. Colchicine is also used to treat familial Mediterranean fever in adults and children 4 years of age and older. Colchicine is not a pain reliever and cannot be used to treat pain that is not caused by gout or FMF. Colchicine is in a class of medications called anti-gout agents. It works by stopping the natural processes that cause swelling and other symptoms of gout and FMF.

Special Precautions For Colchicine Storage

Do not store above 25°C.Store in the original container.

Also, this is expanded in the Patient Information to:

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not take Colchicine Tablets after the expiry date which is stated on the label. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Do not take Colchicine Tablets if you notice that they are showing signs of deterioration such as discoloration. Do not store above 25ºC Store in the original package in order to protect from light.Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.

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Colchicine May Interact With Other Medications

Colchicine oral tablet can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well.

To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs youre taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else youre taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

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Before Taking This Medicine

You should not use colchicine if you are allergic to it.

Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with colchicine, especially if you have liver or kidney disease. Your doctor may need to change your treatment plan if you use any of the following drugs:

• HIV or AIDS medicine–atazanavir, darunavir, fosamprenavir, indinavir, lopinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, or saquinavir.

To make sure colchicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• kidney disease or

• if you take digoxin, or cholesterol-lowering medications.

It is not known whether colchicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Colchicine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

What Should I Do If I Forget A Dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. If you are taking colchicine on a regular basis and it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

However, if you are taking colchicine to treat an attack of gout that happened while you were taking colchicine to prevent gout attacks and you forget to take the second dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. Then wait at least 12 hours before taking your next scheduled dose of colchicine.

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Drugs You Should Not Use With Colchicine

Taking certain drugs with colchicine can cause dangerous effects in the body. Examples of drugs you should not use with colchicine include:

• Antifungal drugs, such as ketoconazole or itraconazole. Using these drugs with colchicine can result in very high levels of colchicine in your body. This raises your risk of side effects, such as severe muscle damage.
• HIV drugs, such as indinavir, atazanavir, nelfinavir, saquinavir, or ritonavir. Using these drugs with colchicine can result in very high levels of colchicine in your body. This raises your risk of side effects, such as severe muscle damage.
• Antibiotics, such as clarithromycin or telithromycin. Using these drugs with colchicine can result in very high levels of colchicine in your body. This raises your risk of side effects, such as severe muscle damage.
• Antidepressants, such as nefazodone. Using these drugs with colchicine can result in very high levels of colchicine in your body. This raises your risk of side effects, such as severe muscle damage.

Important Information About All Medicines

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How Does Colchicine Work In Gout

Colchicinegoutgout

. In this manner, how long does it take colchicine to work on gout?

If you are taking colchicine to relieve gout attack symptoms, start taking it at the first sign of pain. Relief usually begins within 12 hours and symptoms often disappear within 24 hours.

Likewise, what is the mechanism of action of colchicine? Mechanism of actioninhibits microtubule polymerization by binding to its constitutive protein, tubulin. as availability of tubulin is essential to mitosis, colchicine may inhibit mitosis. inhibits activation and migration of neutrophils to sites of inflammation.

Moreover, what does colchicine do to gout?

Colchicine is used to prevent or treat attacks of gout . An attack of gout occurs when uric acid causes inflammation in a joint. Colchicine does not cure gout, but it will help prevent gout attacks.

How long does colchicine stay in your system?

Due to the high levels of tissue uptake of colchicine, only 10% of a single dose is eliminated in the first 24 hours. Consequently, the elimination of colchicine from the body may continue for 10 days or more after the cessation of treatment.

Colchicine And Colcrys Shelf Life

Andrew shared, I tried old colchicine after three years and it didnt work. My pharmacist confirmed the one-year shelf life of Colcrys brand colchicine. But I cant afford Colcrys. So my doctor prescribes indomethacin for gout attacks. But I know I have to start allopurinol to prevent future attacks.

Shelf Life of Colchicine GoutPal Response

Your doctors prescription is more important than shelf life. Now professional recommendations are not for a fixed term. Because colchicine should be prescribed for at least six months until uric acid treatment becomes effective. So in most cases that will be 6-12 months. But stopping colchicine is always determined by your doctor. Because it relies on blood test results and physical examination.

Now there could be special cases. Such as where colchicine is prescribed for different reasons. Or where uric acid treatment is compromised. But your only option is to discuss your special case with your doctor. Who might also advise you about colchicine beyond its expiry date in your circumstances.

Leave Colchicine For Gout to read other pages.

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What Happens If I Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of colchicine can be fatal.

Overdose symptoms may include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, muscle weakness, little or no urinating, numbness or tingling, weak pulse, slow heart rate, weak or shallow breathing, or fainting.

Talk With Your Doctor

If you are taking allopurinol and still experiencing gout flares, talk with your doctor. Your doctor will be able to offer treatment options that best meet your individual needs and may help you prevent future gout flares. You may want to download and complete the Gout Flare Questionnaire before your appointment.

*For all eligible patients 18 years or older who are legal residents of the United States or Puerto Rico. First 30 days are as little as $0 only for eligible patients. Maximum savings of $65 on the first fill and $50 on refills. Please see complete Terms and Conditions for details.

NOTE: This article was not written by a medical professional and is not intended to substitute for the guidance of a physician. These are not Hikmas recommendations for gout flare prevention, but rather facts and data collected from various reliable medical sources. For a full list of resources and their attributing links, see below

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Supply Your Healthcare Provider With A Complete Medical History

Because colchicinetoxicity poses a higher risk for those with certain medical conditions, a complete history should be provided so that it can be determined if you are a good candidate to take this medication. Disclosure of liver disease, kidney disease, pregnancy, or if you are breastfeeding is important.

Serious Side Effects Of Colchicine

Although colchicine is considered a safe drug, one must note that there are some serious adverse effects associated with its use. If any of the following symptoms below occur while using colchicine, your medical provider should be contacted immediately for further medical attention.

• Myelosuppression
• Leukopenia
• Thrombocytopenia
• Reversible azoospermia

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Colchicine For Your Gout

If you are taking colchicine for gout without a uric acid treatment program, or beyond the first few months, you must see your doctor immediately. Once uric acid has stabilized at 5mg/dL or below, there should be no need for colchicine. If you are still experiencing joint pain, it should be investigated by a rheumatologist.

Is Colchicine Good For The Heart

The anti-inflammatory drug colchicine has been shown to reduce cardiovascular events after recent myocardial infarction. Now, a trial in the New England Journal of Medicine reports that daily low-dose colchicine also significantly reduces the cardiovascular event risk among patients with chronic coronary disease.

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What Is Colchicine Used For Besides Gout

What is colchicine used for besides gout? Indications for which colchicine have been explored beyond gout and FMF include prevention of pericarditis events and, more recently, prevention of atrial fibrillation and CV events.

What else can colchicine be used for? Colchicine is used to prevent gout attacks in adults. Colchicine is also used to relieve the pain of gout attacks when they occur.

Is colchicine an anti inflammatory? Colchicine is an ancient medication that is currently approved for the treatment of gout and FMF. However, colchicine has a wide range of anti-inflammatory activities, and studies indicate that it may be beneficial in a variety of other conditions.

Is colchicine used for anything other than gout? Colchicine is used for the treatment of acute flares of gout. It also is used for treating FMF in adults and children 4 years of age or older. Other unapproved uses of colchicine include treatment of pseudogout, amyloidosis, and scleroderma. These unapproved uses of colchicine require further evaluation.

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What Are The Side Effects

If you suffer from kidney disease, liver disease, bone marrow disorders, inflammatory bowel disease or a low white blood cell count, you should not take colchicine and usually means the elderly should refrain from taking it.

The side effects that I have personally experienced are usually diarrhea, going to the bathroom every few hours and stomach cramps on the days I take 3-4 right after an attack. Other side effects include vomiting and nausea. It is very important to pay attention on how colchicine affects you personally and allopurinol is a better drug for long term treatment of gout.

Also allopurinol should be slowly introduced after a gout attack because in the beginning it can also trigger a gout attack. Remember colchicine stops an attack in its tracks while allopurinol works to reduce the uric acid levels in your body. Colchicine is for limited use while allopurinol is for long term use.

Colchicine is also now available in capsule form in both generic and brand name form. The brand name for a capsule colchicine is Mitigare. Not all pharmacies sell colchicine so make sure to call ahead of time to find out.

Furthermore, on February 2019, it was announced that the FDA approved the first oral solution on colchicine for the treatment of gout flares. So now you can take colchicine orally for those 15% of elderly gout sufferers who have difficulty swallowing capsule or tablet drugs.

Warnings For Other Groups

For pregnant women: Colchicine is a category C pregnancy drug. That means two things:

Talk to your doctor if youre pregnant or planning to become pregnant. This drug should only be used if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Call your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking this drug.

For women who are breastfeeding: Colchicine may pass into breast milk and may cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. Talk to your doctor if you breastfeed your child. You may need to decide whether to stop breastfeeding or stop taking this medication.

For seniors: The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk of side effects.

For children: It hasnt been established that colchicine is safe and effective in the treatment of gout in children.

This dosage information is for colchicine oral tablet. All possible dosages and drug forms may not be included here. Your dosage, drug form, and how often you take the drug will depend on:

• your age
• how severe your condition is
• other medical conditions you have
• how you react to the first dose

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Colchicine And Cardiac Conditions

The past decade has seen a rapid increase in both the study and use of colchicine in a range of cardiac diseases, consistent with the burgeoning understanding that inflammation plays a key role in the development and propagation of many such conditions. The impact of colchicine on cardiac disease is of particular significance for patients with gout, both because gout patients have markedly increased cardiovascular risk compared with the general population, and because colchicine is a drug already routinely used in gout patients. The mechanisms of increased cardiovascular risk in gout patients are not fully understood, but are thought by some authors to relate, at least in part, to the increased acute and chronic systemic inflammation that gout patients experience . Thus, the anti-inflammatory effects of colchicine may be explicitly relevant.