INDICATIONS
Colchicine is specifically indicated for treatment and relief of pain in attacks of acute gouty arthritis. It is also recommended for regular use between attacks as a prophylactic measure, and is often effective in aborting an attack when taken at the first sign of articular discomfort. Colchicine is a beta-tubulin interactor. It may affect certain proteins in the body, which may relieve gout symptoms.
INSTRUCTIONS
Take Colchicine as directed by your doctor!
- Take Colchicine by mouth with or without food.
- Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using Colchicine .
- Continue to use Colchicine even if you feel well. Do not miss any dose.
- If you miss a dose of Colchicine , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Colchicine.
STORAGE
Store Colchicine at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Colchicine out of the reach of children.
Do NOT use Colchicine if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Colchicine
- the patient is a child with gout
- you have liver or kidney problems and you are also taking certain other medicines (eg, atazanavir, clarithromycin, indinavir, itraconazole, ketoconazole, nefazodone, nelfinavir, ritonavir or any medicine that contains ritonavir, saquinavir, telithromycin)
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Some medical conditions may interact with Colchicine . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have a blood disorder, stomach or bowel problems, heart problems, or liver or kidney problems, or if you are having dialysis
- if you are in very poor health
Some medicines may interact with Colchicine . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Digoxin, fibrates (eg, fenofibric acid), gemfibrozil, or HMG-Co A reductase inhibitors (eg, simvastatin) because the risk of severe or fatal muscle problems may be increased
- Aprepitant, atazanavir, clarithromycin, cyclosporine, diltiazem, erythromycin, fluconazole, HIV protease inhibitors (eg, fosamprenavir), indinavir, itraconazole, ketoconazole, nefazodone, nelfinavir, ranolazine, ritonavir or any medicine that contains ritonavir, saquinavir, telithromycin, or verapamil because they may increase the risk of Colchicine 's side effects, including severe or fatal side effects
- Sympathomimetics (eg, pseudoephedrine, albuterol) because the risk of their side effects may be increased
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Colchicine may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
Important safety information
- Do NOT take more than the recommended dose without checking with your doctor.
- Check with your doctor before you use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Colchicine ; it may increase their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.
- Colchicine may lower the ability of your body to fight infection. Avoid contact with people who have colds or infections. Tell your doctor if you notice signs of infection like fever, sore throat, rash, or chills.
- Colchicine may reduce the number of clot-forming cells (platelets) in your blood. Avoid activities that may cause bruising or injury. Tell your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding. Tell your doctor if you have dark, tarry, or bloody stools.
- Accidental ingestion or overdose of Colchicine has been fatal in children and adults. Keep Colchicine out of the reach of children. In case of an overdose, call a doctor or poison control center right away.
- If nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea occurs, ask your doctor for ways to lessen these effects. Contact your doctor right away if you experience severe or persistent diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Colchicine before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- Rarely, Colchicine may decrease fertility in men. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
- Colchicine may interfere with certain lab tests, including urine tests for red blood cells or hemoglobin. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are taking Colchicine .
- Lab tests, including complete blood cell counts, kidney function, and liver function, may be performed while you use Colchicine . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Use Colchicine with caution in the elderly; they may be more sensitive to its effects, including muscle and nerve problems.
- Colchicine should be used with extreme caution in children younger 4 years; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
- Pregnancy and breast-feeding: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Colchicine while you are pregnant. Colchicine is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Colchicine , check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome:
Diarrhea; mild sore throat; nausea; stomach pain or cramping; vomiting.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these severe side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness (with or without fever or fatigue); numbness or tingling in the fingers or toes; pale or gray color of the lips, tongue, or palms of the hands; severe or persistent diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, or vomiting; signs of infection (eg, fever, chills, severe or persistent sore throat); unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual tiredness or weakness.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider.