DRUGS AND SUPPLEMENTS

Colchicine

March 21, 2017

Colchicine Oral capsule

What is this medicine?

COLCHICINE (KOL chi seen) is for joint pain and swelling due to attacks of acute gouty arthritis. The medicine is also used to treat familial Mediterranean fever.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

  • anemia

  • blood disorders like leukemia or lymphoma

  • heart disease

  • immune system problems

  • intestinal disease

  • kidney disease

  • liver disease

  • muscle pain or weakness

  • take other medicines

  • stomach problems

  • an unusual or allergic reaction to colchicine, other medicines, lactose, foods, dyes, or preservatives

  • pregnant or trying to get pregnant

  • breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a full glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. You can take it with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, take it with food. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 4 years old for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Patients over 65 years old may have a stronger reaction and need a smaller dose.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

  • certain medicines for fungal infections like itraconazole

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

  • alcohol

  • certain medicines for cholesterol like atorvastatin

  • certain medicines for coughs and colds

  • certain medicines to help you breathe better

  • cyclosporine

  • digoxin

  • epinephrine

  • grapefruit or grapefruit juice

  • methenamine

  • other medicines for fungal infection

  • sodium bicarbonate

  • some antibiotics like clarithromycin, erythromycin, and telithromycin

  • some medicines for an irregular heartbeat or other heart problems

  • some medicines for cancer, like lapatinib and tamoxifen

  • some medicines for HIV

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. You may need periodic blood checks.

Alcohol can increase the chance of getting stomach problems and gout attacks. Do not drink alcohol.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

  • allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

  • fever, chills, or sore throat

  • muscle tenderness, pain, or weakness

  • numbness or tingling in hands or feet

  • unusual bleeding or bruising

  • unusually weak or tired

  • vomiting

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

  • diarrhea

  • hair loss

  • loss of appetite

  • stomach pain or nausea

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Protect from light. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Colchicine Oral tablet

What is this medicine?

COLCHICINE (KOL chi seen) is for joint pain and swelling due to attacks of acute gouty arthritis. The medicine is also used to treat familial Mediterranean fever.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

  • anemia

  • blood disorders like leukemia or lymphoma

  • heart disease

  • immune system problems

  • intestinal disease

  • kidney disease

  • liver disease

  • muscle pain or weakness

  • take other medicines

  • stomach problems

  • an unusual or allergic reaction to colchicine, other medicines, lactose, foods, dyes, or preservatives

  • pregnant or trying to get pregnant

  • breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a full glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. You can take it with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, take it with food. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 4 years old for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Patients over 65 years old may have a stronger reaction and need a smaller dose.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

  • certain medicines for fungal infections like itraconazole

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

  • alcohol

  • certain medicines for cholesterol like atorvastatin

  • certain medicines for coughs and colds

  • certain medicines to help you breathe better

  • cyclosporine

  • digoxin

  • epinephrine

  • grapefruit or grapefruit juice

  • methenamine

  • other medicines for fungal infection

  • sodium bicarbonate

  • some antibiotics like clarithromycin, erythromycin, and telithromycin

  • some medicines for an irregular heartbeat or other heart problems

  • some medicines for cancer, like lapatinib and tamoxifen

  • some medicines for HIV

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. You may need periodic blood checks.

Alcohol can increase the chance of getting stomach problems and gout attacks. Do not drink alcohol.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

  • allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

  • fever, chills, or sore throat

  • muscle tenderness, pain, or weakness

  • numbness or tingling in hands or feet

  • unusual bleeding or bruising

  • unusually weak or tired

  • vomiting

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

  • diarrhea

  • hair loss

  • loss of appetite

  • stomach pain or nausea

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Protect from light. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Colchicine Solution for injection

What is this medicine?

COLCHICINE (KOL chi seen) is for joint pain and swelling due to attacks of acute gouty arthritis.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

  • anemia

  • blood disorders like leukemia or lymphoma

  • heart disease

  • immune system problems

  • intestinal disease

  • kidney disease

  • liver disease

  • low platelet counts

  • stomach problems

  • an unusual or allergic reaction to colchicine, other medicines, lactose, foods, dyes, or preservatives

  • pregnant or trying to get pregnant

  • breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is for injection into a vein. It is given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply.

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

  • certain medicines for fungal infections like itraconazole

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

  • alcohol

  • certain medicines for cholesterol like atorvastatin

  • certain medicines for coughs and colds

  • certain medicines to help you breathe better

  • cyclosporine

  • digoxin

  • epinephrine

  • grapefruit or grapefruit juice

  • methenamine

  • other medicines for fungal infection

  • sodium bicarbonate

  • some antibiotics like clarithromycin, erythromycin, and telithromycin

  • some medicines for an irregular heartbeat or other heart problems

  • some medicines for cancer, like lapatinib and tamoxifen

  • some medicines for HIV

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medicine.

Alcohol can increase the chance of getting stomach problems and gout attacks. Do not drink alcohol.

Women should inform their doctor if they wish to become pregnant or think they might be pregnant. There is a potential for serious side effects to an unborn child. Talk to your health care professional or pharmacist for more information.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

  • allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

  • fever, chills, or sore throat

  • muscle weakness

  • numbness or tingling in hands or feet

  • pain at site where injected

  • unusual bleeding or bruising

  • unusually weak or tired

  • vomiting

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

  • diarrhea

  • hair loss

  • loss of appetite

  • muscle pain or weakness

  • stomach pain or nausea

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medicine?

This drug is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.

Updated:  

March 21, 2017

Sources:  

U.S. FDA-approved Package Insert