Medications and Drugs
GENERIC NAME: COLCHICINE - ORAL (COAL-cheh-seen)
Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage
USES: This medication is used to treat and prevent gout.
HOW TO USE: To control a gout attack, start taking this medication at the first signs of an attack. Take by mouth as directed, either continuously or only for acute gout attacks.
SIDE EFFECTS: Notify your doctor immediately if you experience the following symptoms (which may indicate that you need to stop taking the drug): nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea. Report to MD promptly: yellowing eyes or skin, sore throat, easy bruising or bleeding, muscle aches, numbness or tingling of legs and arms, fatigue, rash, itchy skin. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Before using this drug, tell your doctor your medical history especially of: kidney or heart disease, stomach or intestinal problems, bleeding disorders, any drug allergies. Alcohol can decrease the effectiveness of this drug. Limit alcohol consumption while taking this. Before having surgery, including dental surgery, tell your doctor you are taking colchicine. If you are to take a urine test while using this medication, tell the doctor or laboratory personnel that you are taking colchicine because colchicine may affect the test results. Colchicine is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Consult your doctor before using this drug. This drug is excreted into breast milk. Though no problems noted to date, consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Before using this drug, tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription medicines you may use. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
- Drug Interactions - Learn about potential drug interactions you may be exposed to. Drug interactions can occur with prescription drugs, OTC medication, vitamins, herbs, and supplements.
- Gout - Gout and hyperuricemia are caused by uric acid crystals building up in the body. Read how diet changes--avoiding alcohol and high purine foods--prevent painful attacks and gout pain.
- Drugs: What You Should Know About Your Drugs - Find out what you should know about your drugs such as side effects, warnings and precautions, storage information, and if a generic version is as good as the brand name.
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