What is colchicine?
Because colchicine was developed prior to federal regulations requiring FDA review of all marketed drug products, the uses for colchicine have not been approved by the FDA. Newer drugs have been developed and FDA-approved to treat the conditions that colchicine is used to treat.
Colchicine affects the way the body responds to uric acid crystals, which reduces swelling and pain.
Colchicine is used to treat or prevent attacks of gout. It is also used to treat symptoms of Behcets syndrome (such as swelling, redness, warmth, and pain).
Colchicine is not a cure for gouty arthritis or Behcets syndrome, and it will not prevent these diseases from progressing.
Colchicine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
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Precautions
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Instructions
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Side Effects
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Interactions
Precautions
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to colchicine, or if you have:
- heart disease;
- kidney disease; or
- a severe gastrointestinal disorder.
Before taking colchicine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
- a stomach ulcer;
- ulcerative colitis;
- Crohn's disease; or
- intestinal bleeding or other disorder.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests during to safely take colchicine.
This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether colchicine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Follow your doctor’s instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while you are using colchicine.
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Instructions
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An overdose of colchicine can be fatal.
Overdose symptoms may include diarrhea (may be bloody and severe), nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, heartburn, a burning feeling in your throat or stomach, muscle weakness, urinating less than usual, numbness or tingling, fainting, or seizure (convulsions).
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
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Side Effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
- severe vomiting or diarrhea;
- easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
- fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
- numbness, burning, pain, or tingly feeling;
- blood in your urine; or
- urinating less than usual or not at all.
Less serious side effects may include:
- mild nausea or stomach pain;
- mild diarrhea;
- muscle pain; or
- hair loss.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Interactions
There may be other drugs that can interact with colchicine. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
Other Names
colchicine
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Disclaimer
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2004 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version 2.05. Revision date 8/23/04
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