Description and Brand Names
Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®
US Brand Name
- Colcrys
- Gloperba
- Lodoco
- Mitigare
Descriptions
Colchicine is used to prevent or treat attacks of gout (also called gouty arthritis). This condition is caused by too much uric acid in the blood. An attack of gout occurs when uric acid causes inflammation (pain, redness, swelling, and heat) in a joint. Colchicine does not cure gout, but it will help prevent gout attacks. Colchicine is not an ordinary pain reliever and will not relieve most kinds of pain.
Colchicine is also used to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, certain types of heart procedures, and cardiovascular death in patients with atherosclerosis (known buildup of plaque inside the arteries) or with multiple cardiovascular risk factors.
Colchicine is also used to treat a rare condition called familial Mediterranean fever (FMF).
Colchicine may be used in 2 ways. Most people take small amounts of it regularly for a long time (months or even years) to prevent severe attacks or other problems caused by inflammation. Other people take large amounts of colchicine during a short period of time (several hours) only when the medicine is needed to relieve an attack that is occurring. The chance of serious side effects is much lower with the first (preventive) kind of treatment.
Because some of colchicine's side effects can be very serious, you should discuss with your doctor about the benefits as well as the risks of using this medicine.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
This product is available in the following dosage forms:
Portions of this document last updated: April 01, 2024
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