Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANSIM: Colchicine is an oral drug used for treating
acute gout and
familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). In acute gout there is severe
inflammation in response to the presence of uric acid crystals that form in bony
joints. This causes severe pain, redness, and swelling of the affected joint(s).
Colchicine is useful in suppressing inflammation caused by gout. The exact
mechanism of action of colchicine is not known. It may involve reduction in
crystallization of uric acid leading to a reduction in the inflammatory
response. Colchicine is not an analgesic (pain killer), but it reduces pain
caused by gout. The FDA approved colchicine in September 1977 without clinical
studies. In July 2009 the FDA approved colchicine for gout flares and FMF.
PRESCRIPTION: Yes
GENERIC AVAILABLE: No
PREPARATIONS: Tablets: 0.6 mg
STORAGE: Colchicine should be stored between 20 and 25 C (68-77 F)
PRESCRIBED FOR: 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.
DOSING:
The recommended dose of colchicine for acute gout is:
1.2 mg at the
first sign of symptoms followed by 0.6 mg one hour later.
The maximum dose over
a one hour period is 1.8 mg.
In clinical trials 1.8 mg of colchicine
administered over 1 hour was as effective as 4.8 mg administered over 6 hours,
and patients experienced fewer side effects.
The recommended dose for preventing
flares of gout in individuals older than 16 years of age is 0.6 mg once or twice
daily.
The recommended doses of colchicine for FMF are:
Children 4-6 years old: 0.3 to 1.8 mg daily
Children 6-12 years old: 0.6 to 1.8 mg daily
Adults and adolescents older than 12 years: 1.2 to 2.4 mg daily
Total daily doses may be administered in two divided doses. Doses should be
increased by 0.3 mg daily as tolerated until symptoms are controlled or maximum
daily doses are reached. Doses should be decreased by 0.3 mg daily if side
effects occur.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Several drugs reduce the breakdown and elimination of
colchicine from the body by reducing the activity of enzymes that breakdown
colchicine. In order to avoid side effects from colchicine the dose of
colchicine should be reduced when it is combined with or used within 14 days of
drugs that reduce its elimination.
Examples of drugs that reduce the elimination
of colchicine include:
Gout is a condition that results from crystals of uric acid depositing in tissues of the body. Gout is a condition that can lead to abnormally elevated levels of uric acid in the
blood, recurring attacks of joint inflammation (arthritis), deposits of
hard lumps of uric acid in and around the joints, and decreased kidney
function and kidney stones.
Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease of the connective tissue. It is characterized by the formation of scar tissue (fibrosis) in the skin and organs of the body, leading to thickness and firmness of involved areas. Scleroderma is also referred to as systemic sclerosis, and the cause is unknown. Treatment of scleroderma is directed toward the individual features that are most troubling to the patient.
Pulmonary fibrosis is scarring throughout the lungs. Pulmonary fibrosis can be caused by many conditions including chronic inflammatory processes, infections, environmental agents, exposure to ionizing radiation, chronic conditions, and certain medications. Symptoms include shortness of breath, coughing, and diminished exercise tolerance. Treatment options are dependent on the type of pulmonary fibrosis; lung transplant and/or medications are optons.
Erythema nodosum is a skin inflammation that results in reddish, painful, tender lumps most commonly located in the front of the legs below the knees. Erythema nodosum can resolve on its own in 3 to 6 weeks, leaving a bruised area. Treatments include anti-inflammatory medications and cortisone by mouth or injection.
Amyloidosis is a group of diseases resulting from abnormal deposition of certain proteins (amyloids) in various bodily areas. The amyloid proteins may either be deposited in one particular area of the body (localized amyloidosis) or they may be deposited throughout the body (systemic amyloidosis). There are three types of systemic amyloidosis: primary (AL), secondary (AA), and familial (ATTR). Primary amyloidosis is not associated with any other diseases and is considered a disease entity of its own. Secondary amyloidosis occurs as a result of another illness. Familial Mediterranean Fever is a form of familial (inherited) amyloidosis. Amyloidosis treatment involves treating the underlying illness and correcting organ failure.
Pseudogout, a form of arthritis, results when deposits of crystals collect in and around the joints. Symptoms of pseudogout include pain, stiffness, warmth, and joint swelling of the knees, ankles, hips, shoulders, and/or wrists. Treatment for pseudogout aims to decrease inflammation through the use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, ice, and rest.
Peyronie's disease is a condition characterized by a hard lump, or plaque, that forms within the penis. Symptoms of Peyronie's disease range from mild to severe. Treatment for Peyronie's disease includes medication, and often surgery.
Taking prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs or supplements should be discussed with your doctor. There are some medications that have been found to cause no problems in pregnancy, however, medications such as Accutane for acne, should never be taken during pregnancy.
Erythema nodosum is a
type of skin inflammation that is located in a certain portion of the fatty layer of skin. Erythema nodosum (also called EN) results
in reddish, painful, tender lumps most commonly located in the front of the
legs below the knees. The tender lumps, or nodules, of erythema
nodosum range in size from 1 to 5 centimeters. The nodular swelling is caused
by a special pattern of inflammation in the fatty layer of skin.
Erythema nodosum can be self-limited and resolve on its own in three
to six
weeks. Upon resolution, it may leave only a temporary bruised appearance or leave a chronic indentation in the skin where the fatty layer has been injured.
There are several scenarios for the outcome of erythema nodosum. Typically, these areas of nodular tenderness range in size from about a dime to a quarter and they may be tender and inflamed off and on for a period of weeks. They usually then resolve spont...
Arthritis RSS
Healthy Living Tips
This site complies with the