{"id":626292,"date":"2024-01-23T14:03:52","date_gmt":"2024-01-23T19:03:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=626292"},"modified":"2024-10-25T10:13:13","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T14:13:13","slug":"colchicine-interactions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/colchicine-interactions\/","title":{"rendered":"Colchicine interactions to avoid"},"content":{"rendered":"

Colchicine<\/span><\/a>, known by the brand name <\/span>Colcrys<\/span><\/a>, is an antigout medication used to prevent and treat gout. <\/span>Gout<\/span><\/a> is a painful form of inflammatory arthritis that happens when too much uric acid is in the body, causing gout attacks. Additionally, colchicine can be used to treat the genetic condition Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) and helps to manage the symptoms of Behcet’s syndrome, pseudogout, and pericarditis. Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a form of colchicine called <\/span>Lodoco<\/span><\/a> for people with atherosclerotic disease or with multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.<\/span><\/p>\n

Colchicine interacts with digoxin, statins, fibrates, certain hepatitis C medications, azole antifungals, and macrolide antibiotics, among other drug classes. Do not take colchicine with Filspari, Paxlovid, Relyvrio, Reyvow, or Vonjo without consulting a healthcare professional. Colchicine also interacts with grapefruit juice. 
<\/span><\/p>\n

It’s important to be aware of colchicine interactions as other drugs and foods can affect colchicine’s effectiveness and cause or worsen side effects. As a medication that can have toxic effects, drug interactions are critical to avoid, as colchicine toxicity can put people at risk.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Colchicine side effects and how to avoid them<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Colchicine drug interactions<\/span><\/h2>\n

Various prescription drugs can interact with colchicine, including statins, fibrates, digoxin, certain hepatitis C medications, azole antifungals, and macrolide antibiotics.<\/span><\/p>\n

Statins<\/span><\/h3>\n

Statins<\/span><\/a> are prescription medications that can treat high cholesterol levels. They are often used to prevent complications in people who have experienced a heart attack or stroke or those who have <\/span>diabetes<\/span><\/a>. Cholesterol buildup in the arteries can block the flow of blood and lead to an increased risk of a heart attack or stroke. In general, statin medications are well tolerated by most people but do have some risks associated with their use. Statins can cause liver problems and muscle-related effects, including muscle pain, myopathy (unexplained muscle weakness or pain), and rhabdomyolysis. Taking a statin with colchicine can lead to a potentially serious drug interaction.<\/span><\/p>\n

This drug interaction can cause increased amounts of both colchicine and statins in the body, which can lead to a greater chance of adverse effects. There is an increased risk of muscle-related side effects, including rhabdomyolysis. It’s important to look for signs of muscle pain or weakness. It’s recommended that healthcare providers monitor therapy and consider a dose reduction of one or both drugs. Reach out to the prescribing doctor for further guidance if there are signs of this possible drug interaction.<\/span><\/p>\n

Examples of common statins include:<\/span><\/p>\n