Colchicine is used mainly to treat and prevent gout attacks. It is also used to treat familial Mediterranean fever.

 

What is Colchicine?

The exact working mechanism of colchicine is not yet known. What is known is the fact that it acts on certain proteins in the body to alleviate symptoms of gout.

 

How should Colchicine be taken?

Colchicine is typically consumed orally in the form of tablets or capsules. It can, however, also be administered via injection directly into a vein.

 

Side effects associated with Colchicine

Colchicine can make an individual more susceptible to infection. For this reason, it is important to avoid contact with individuals struggling with infectious diseases. It is also necessary to inform the doctor immediately in case of fever, sore throat, rash or chills.

 

In addition, the drug can lower platelets, thus exposing the individual to an increased risk of bruising and bleeding. It is necessary to contact a doctor in case of dark or bloody stools.

 

Among the other possible side effects of colchicine include the following:

 

  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Stomach ache
  • Vomiting

 

You should contact a doctor immediately if you experience:

 

  • Rash
  • Urticaria
  • Itch
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Tightness in the chest
  • Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue
  • Pain, tenderness or weakness in the muscles (with or without fever or fatigue)
  • Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
  • Pale lips or tongue
  • Unusual tiredness or weakness

 

Contraindications and warnings associated with the use of Colchicine

Colchicine should not be taken if:

 

  • You are suffering from liver or kidney problems
  • You are taking atazanavir, boceprevir, clarithromycin, cyclosporine, darunavir, indinavir, itraconazole, ketoconazole, nefazodone, nelfinavir, posazonazolo, ranolazine, ritonavir or any medicine that contains ritonavir, saquinavir, telaprevir, telithromycin, or troleandomycin tipranavir.

 

During treatment, it is necessary to avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice.

 

Before starting treatment with colchicine, it is important to tell your doctor if:

 

  • You have any allergies to the active substance, its excipients or any other drugs or food
  • You are taking any other medications, herbal remedies or supplements. Mentioning in particular:  digoxin, fibrates, statins, amprenavir, aprepitant, atazanavir, azole antifungals, boceprevir, cyclosporine, darunavir, diltiazem, fosamprenavir, fosaprepitant, indinavir, macrolide antibiotics, nefazodone, nelfinavir, ranolazine, ritonavir, sympathomimetic drugs and any medications containing ritonavir, saquinavir, telaprevir, telithromycin, tipranavir or verapamil
  • You are suffering (or have suffered) from liver or kidney problems
  • You are pregnant or breastfeeding