Colchicine

Brand names

• Colbenemid [CD]
• Colchicine
• Col-Probenecid [CD]
• Colsalide
• Proben-C [CD]

Usage

To treat painful attacks of gout, as well as to prevent or reduce the frequency of such attacks. Oral colchicine is used for moderate attacks.

How it works

In gout, crystals of a chemical called monosodium urate are deposited in joints, where they cause inflammation and lead to the sharp, excruciating pain of a gout attack. Colchicine prevents inflammation that may result from the accumulation of monosodium urate crystals.

Side effects

Serious

Allergic reactions, causing rash or hives, swelling of face, lips, tongue, eyelids, and throat; such reactions may interfere with breathing-seek medical help immediately. Unusual or persistent fevers, fatigue, chills, sore throat, bruising, or bleeding; these may be signs of serious anemia or suppression of the immune system.

Common

Diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, stomach pain.

Less common

Muscle weakness; numbness, tingling, or prickling in the hands and feet.

Possible interactions

Other medicaments:

Colchicine taken concurrently with:

• allopurinol (Zyloprim), probenecid (Benemid) or sulfinpyrazone (Anturane) can prevent attacks of acute gout that often occur when treatment with these medicaments is first started.
• cyanocobalamin will decrease absorption of the vitamin B12. Higher doses of oral cyanocobalamin may be required by patients on colchicine.
• cyclosporine (Sandimmune) may increase cyclosporine levels and result in toxicity.
• erythromycins (E.E.S., clarithromycin) can result in toxic colchicine blood levels.
• insulin may inhibit the response (biphasic) of the body to sugar.

Foods:

Follow your doctor's advice about a low purine diet.

Herbal medicines or minerals:

Acerola is high in vitamin C. Inosine, like acerola, may increase uric acid levels. Aspen should be avoided in gout. Lipase may worsen gout. Goutweed (aegopodium podagraria) does not have enough data to assess effectiveness. Some "herbal teas" (promoted as being beneficial for arthritis) contain phenylbutazone and other potentially toxic ingredients. Avoid herbal teas if you are not certain of their source, content and medicinal effects.

Alcohol:

Combination may increase the risk of gastrointestinal irritation or bleeding and raise uric acid blood levels.

Exposure to cold:

This medicament can lower body temperature. Use caution to prevent excessive lowering (hypothermia), especially in those over 60 years of age.

Occurrence of unrelated illness:

Acute attacks of gout may result from injury or illness. Call your doctor for dosing adjustment if injury or new illness occurs.