Colchicine is an anti-inflammatory drug used to treat a variety of conditions, including gout, recurrent pericarditis, and familial Mediterranean fever.
Colchicine is used to prevent or treat symptoms of gout. Gout occurs when a substance called uric acid forms painful crystals in the body, usually in the joints. This medication is also used to treat familial Mediterranean fever, which causes inflammation (pain and swelling) in the joints, lungs, or abdomen (stomach area).
Composition
Each tablet contains 0.5 mg. colchicine.
Indications and properties
- Acute attacks of gouty arthritis and other disorders associated with hyperuricaemia.
- It relieves pain and inflammation in few hours.
- It inhibits leucocyte migration and phagocytosis, also it reduces lactic acid produced, this prevents further deposition of urate crystals and stops the inflammatory cycle.
- Mediterranean sea fever.
- Prophylaxis of recurrent gout.
- In liver cirrhosis.
Colchicine is not an analgesic medicine and should not be used to treat pain.
Precautions
- Colchicine tablets should be given with great care to old patients.
- Caution in patients with cardiac, hepatic, renal or gastro- intestinal disease.
- Care with pregnant patients since it is known to be teratogenic in animals.
Dosage
1-2 tablets three times daily [Avoid overdosage].
Dosage for prevention of gout attacks
- 0.5-1 mg once or twice daily for adults and adolescents over 16 years of age.
- Maximum dose: two 0.5 mg tablets or one 1 mg tablet daily.
Treatment of gout attacks
- 1 mg (2 tablets) at the first sign of a gout attack, followed by 0.5 mg (1 tablet) 1 hour later.
Mediterranean fever
- Dosage for adults and children over 12 years: 1-2 mg (2-4 tablets of 0.5 mg).
- Children 6-12 years: 1-2 mg (2-4 tablets of 0.5 mg),
*Do not exceed the recommended maximum daily dose. Colchicine tablets are taken orally, regardless of meals.
FAQs about colchicine
Can colchicine be used to treat Covid?
Colchicine is not recommended for the treatment of COVID-19 infection. Colchicine has been studied for the treatment of corona patients, due to its anti-inflammatory properties, which can contribute to alleviating the symptoms of the inflammatory disease. Studies recommendations:
- The COVID treatment guidelines recommend that colchicine not be used to treat outpatients with COVID-19.
- It is recommended that colchicine not be used in the treatment of hospitalized patients with COVID-19.
How long can you stay on colchicine?
The duration of treatment with colchicine tablets varies according to the type of disease to be treated. When colchicine is used in the treatment of Mediterranean fever, it is used for long periods, but when it is used to treat gout attacks, or to prevent gout attacks, it is used for short periods.
To prevent or treat gout attacks, colchicine is taken in low doses. Colchicine is usually prescribed with other medications that lower uric acid levels in the blood. Your doctor will tell you to stop taking colchicine when your uric acid levels return to normal.
Tip: Take this medication regularly as directed by your doctor, even if you feel well. If you are taking colchicine to prevent gout attacks, and you are taking another medication to reduce the amount of uric acid in your body, it is likely that you will be able to stop taking colchicine after a while. However, if you stop taking it too soon, your attacks may return or get worse.
If you are taking colchicine to treat certain other medical conditions such as familial Mediterranean fever, you may need to keep taking it for the rest of your life.
Does colchicine cause hair loss?
Colchicine may cause hair loss as a rare side effect. However, hair loss is not a common side effect of colchicine. If you experience hair loss while taking colchicine, you should consult your doctor.
Is colchicine taken before or after eating?
The usual dose of colchicine is once or twice daily. It is preferable that you take your doses at the same time of day each day, as this will help you to remember to take it regularly. Your dose can also be taken with or without food. You need to choose whether to take your dose with or without food and then take it the same way each day. This is to make sure that the same amount of medicine is absorbed by your body each day. It is important to carefully read the instructions that come with your medicine or to follow your doctor’s instructions.
Does colchicine cause weight gain?
Colchicine is not generally associated with weight gain. However, it is possible that individual reactions to the drug may differ. If you experience unexplained weight gain while taking colchicine, you should consult your doctor.
What are the long term side effects of colchicine?
Long-term use of colchicine can cause a range of side effects, including gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Long-term use of colchicine may rarely cause more serious side effects, such as myopathy (muscle damage) and neuropathy (nerve damage). It is important to have regular check-ups with your doctor while you are taking colchicine to monitor for any possible side effects. Additionally, colchicine should not be used by individuals who have kidney or liver problems, or certain other medical conditions.
Do colchicine pills make diarrhea?
Yes, diarrhea is a common side effect of colchicine. Up to 20% of people who take colchicine may have diarrhoea. If you develop severe diarrhea while taking colchicine, you should contact your doctor.
Can colchicine be used for autoimmune diseases?
Yes, colchicine can be used to treat certain autoimmune diseases, such as familial Mediterranean fever. However, colchicine is not effective for all autoimmune conditions, and you should always consult with your doctor to determine if colchicine is appropriate for your particular situation.
Does colchicine affect the kidneys?
Colchicine can affect kidney function, especially in individuals with pre-existing kidney disease. People with kidney problems should use colchicine with caution, and their doctors may need to adjust the dose of colchicine or monitor your kidney function regularly while you are taking the medication.
Is colchicine Safe for pregnant or breastfeeding?
Colchicine is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless the potential benefits outweigh the risks. There is some evidence to suggest that colchicine may be harmful to a developing fetus, especially during the first trimester of pregnancy. Likewise, colchicine is excreted in breast milk, and its safety during lactation is not well established. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, you should discuss the risks and benefits of using colchicine with your doctor before taking the medication.
How does colchicine work to prevent or treat a gout attack?
Colchicine is an anti-inflammatory drug used to control the inflammatory symptoms of gout attacks. Colchicine does not lower uric acid levels, it only controls inflammation caused by high uric acid.
Gout is a type of arthritis. It occurs as a result of the deposition of uric acid crystals (also called uric acid) in the pain.
But what is uric acid? …uric acid is found naturally in the body. Some theories suggest that it may help maintain normal blood pressure in the body. The body contains uric acid that is naturally present in the body (less than 7 milligrams/dL or 420 micromoles/dL). This low percentage of uric acid remains in the blood and is not deposited in the organs. It also does not cause any inflammation or problems while in the blood.
Excessive alcohol consumption, junk food, lack of exercise, weight gain, uncontrolled diabetes, etc. lead to increased levels of uric acid in the blood. Once the levels of uric acid in the blood have increased for a long time, it begins to be released from the blood and deposited in the organs.
Gout develops when uric acid deposited in the organs begins to cause inflammation. This inflammation usually affects the joints first, and this causes gout attacks. That is why gout first begins with very painful articular attacks. But later on, it affects other major organs like the heart and kidneys. If left untreated, they cause further inflammation and organ damage.
Gout begins with recurrent bouts of joint pain (usually in the feet first). Later, if not treated adequately, it begins to cause inflammation and damage to many joints and other organs.
Side Effects
When colchicine is used to prevent gout: Diarrhea was the most common adverse reaction in clinical trials for gout prevention.
When colchicine is used in the treatment of gout: Diarrhea (23%) and sore throat (3%) were the most commonly reported adverse reactions in gout clinical trials.
When colchicine is used in the treatment of familial Mediterranean fever: The most common side effects (up to 20%) are abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting. These effects are usually mild and transient and are reversible when the dose is reduced.
Warnings
Overdose warning: Taking too much colchicine can be dangerous enough to cause death. Advice: Strictly adhere to the dosage and duration of treatment prescribed by your doctor.
Blood disorders warning: Long-term use of colchicine may cause your body to produce fewer blood cells of different types. This may increase the risk of infection or bleeding because some of these blood cells fight infection and help form blood clots. If you have any blood disorders, talk to your doctor about whether this medication is safe for you to take.
Muscle damage warning: Colchicine can damage your muscles if you take it for 6 months or longer. Your risk is higher if you are older than 65 years. Taking other medications that cause muscle damage, such as cholesterol medications, may increase this risk. Talk to your doctor before taking colchicine if you also take cholesterol medications.
For people with kidney disease: Your kidneys remove this drug from your body. If your kidneys are not working well, this drug may build up in your body, increasing your risk of side effects. To help avoid this, your doctor may lower your dose of colchicine.
For people with liver disease: The liver plays a major role in ridding the body of this medication. If your liver is not working well, this drug may build up in your body, increasing your risk of side effects. To help avoid this, your doctor may lower your dose of colchicine.
Package
- Pack of 100 tablets in 10 strips, each of 10 tablets.
- Pack of 1000 tablets in 100 strips, each of 10 tablets.
Storage
- Store at temperature not exceeding 30°C.
- Keep in dry place, protect from light.
- Keep out of reach of children.
كولشيسين للعلاج والوقاية من نوبات النقرس
Council of Arab Health Ministers and Union of Arab Pharmacists |
Produced by: El Nasr Pharmaceutical Chemicals Co. “ADWIC” Abu-Zaabal – A.R.E.. ATC Code: M04AC01