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Medication Written by Pharmacists Reviewed by Doctors

GENERIC NAME: colchicine

BRAND NAME: Colchicine

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANSIM: Colchicine is a medication for acute gout. In acute gouty, there is a marked inflammatory response to the presence of uric acid crystals, causing severe pain, redness and swelling of the affected joint(s). Colchicine is useful in suppressing the inflammation (arthritis) in acute gout.

PRESCRIPTION: yes

GENERIC AVAILABLE: yes

PREPARATIONS: Tablets: .5mg, .6mg. Colchicine can also be given intravenously.

STORAGE: Store at room temperature, sealed, light- resistant container.

PRESCRIBED FOR: Colchicine is used to treat acute flares of gouty arthritis and to prevent recurrent acute attacks. It is also used to treat the inflammation of pseudogout, and other uncommon diseases, such as familial Mediterranean fever, amyloidosis, and scleroderma.

DOSING: Should be taken with food.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Colchicine can arrest cell division and is avoided in pregnancy because of possible adverse affects on fetal growth. For similar reasons, it is generally avoided in children. Colchicine is not habit forming.

PREGNANCY: Colchicine can arrest cell division and is avoided in pregnancy because of possible adverse affects on fetal growth.

SIDE EFFECTS: The most common side effects of colchicine involve the stomach and bowel and are dose related. These include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. One of the most worrisome side effects of colchicine is that it can damage the bone marrow causing severe anemia and seriously low white blood counts, thereby increasing the risk of infections. All patients taking colchicine long-term require blood count monitoring. Colchicine can also cause hair loss, weakness, and nerve irritation.






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Last Editorial Review: 12/31/1997





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