What is Colchicine?
Colchicine oral tablet is a prescription medication marketed under the brand name Colcrys. It can also be purchased as a generic drug. Generic medications are typically less expensive. Generic medications may not be available in any strength or shape as the brand-name in some cases. Colchicine capsules are also available. The capsules are marketed under the brand name Mitigare. Generic versions of the capsules are also available.
Colchicine Uses
This drug is used to treat or avoid gout attacks (flares). Gout symptoms usually appear abruptly and affect only one or a few joints. Most often, the big toe, knee, or ankle joints are affected. Too much uric acid in the blood causes gout. When uric acid levels in the blood are too high, hard crystals may grow in the joints. Colchicine works by reducing swelling and uric acid crystal formation in the affected joint, which causes pain (s). This drug is also used to alleviate attacks of pain in the abdomen, chest, or joints that are caused by a hereditary condition (familial Mediterranean fever). It is believed to function by lowering your body's output. It is thought to function by lowering the amount of protein (amyloid A) produced by the body, which builds up in people with familial Mediterranean fever. Colchicine is not a pain reliever and should not be used to treat pain from other sources.
How to use colchicine oral
- Before you start taking colchicine, and any time you get a refill, read the Medication Guide given by your pharmacist. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about the details.
- Take this drug by mouth, with or without food, according to your doctor's instructions. Dosing advice varies a lot, and it's possible that it'll be different from what's mentioned below. Taking more than the recommended dose can reduce the effectiveness of this medication and increase your risk of side effects.
- If you're taking this drug to treat a gout attack, make sure you follow your doctor's instructions carefully. When you take this drug at the first sign of an assault, it works best. At the first sign of an attack, take 1.2 milligrams, then wait an hour before taking 0.6 milligrams. The maximum dose that should be taken in one hour is 1.8 milligrams. If you have another gout episode, talk to your doctor ahead of time about how soon you should start taking this drug again.
- If you're taking this drug to avoid gout attacks or treat pericarditis, talk to your doctor about the proper dosage and schedule. Follow the doctor's instructions to the letter.
- The normal dosage is 1.2 to 2.4 milligrams daily if you're taking this drug to prevent pain attacks caused by familial Mediterranean fever. The overall dose can be taken all at once or split into two daily doses. To monitor your symptoms or if you experience side effects, your doctor may need to change your dosage.
- The dosage is determined by your medical condition, other medications or foods you may be taking, and treatment reaction. Increase your dosage, take it more often, or take it for longer than your doctor prescribes to minimize your risk of severe side effects. Even at the normal prescription doses, serious side effects will occur.
- If your doctor advises you to take colchicine on a daily basis, follow his or her advice. Take it at the same time(s) every day to help you recall.
- Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, avoid consuming grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while taking this drug. Certain drugs can cause an increase in the amount of grapefruit in your bloodstream.
- If your condition does not improve or worsens when taking this medicine to relieve symptoms of familial Mediterranean fever, contact your doctor.
Missed Dose
If you forgot to take any dose, take it as soon as you recall it. But if it is near the time of the next dose, skip the forgotten dose. Take your next dosage at regular intervals of time. Do not double the dose.