What is Colchicine: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

How to take Colchicine

• Keep using this medicine for the full treatment time, even if you feel better after the first few doses.

• Oral liquid: Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose. For patients taking the tablet to prevent gout attack: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If your next dose is 12 hours away, wait until then and take a regular dose.

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose. For patients taking the tablet to prevent gout attack: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If your next dose is 12 hours away, wait until then and take a regular dose.

• Keep using this medicine for the full treatment time, even if you feel better after the first few doses.

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

• Oral liquid: Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

What to do if you miss a dose of Colchicine

Colchicine contraindications

• This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you have kidney disease or liver disease and are also taking certain medicines (including medicine to treat HIV or AIDS, medicine to treat an infection, medicine to lower cholesterol).

Colchicine warnings

• This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.

• Talk with your doctor before using this medicine if you plan to have children. Some men who use this medicine have become infertile (unable to have children).

• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, anemia, bleeding problems, or muscle problems.

• This medicine may cause severe muscle problems.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

• Severe diarrhea or vomiting

• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

Colchicine interactions

• Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine.

• This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

• Some medicines and foods can affect how colchicine works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:Aprepitant, cyclosporine, digoxin, diltiazem, nefazodone, ranolazine, verapamilMedicine to treat HIV or AIDSMedicine to treat an infection (including clarithromycin, erythromycin, itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole)Medicine to lower cholesterol (including atorvastatin, bezafibrate, fenofibrate, fenofibric acid, fluvastatin, gemfibrozil, lovastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin)

• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.