Type of medicine: antigout
Generic and brand names: colchicine, oral; Colcrys
This medicine is used to treat and prevent attacks of gout. It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have:
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more or less or take it longer than prescribed. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
Take the medicine with a full glass of water. You may take this medicine with or without food. Taking it with meals may lessen the chance the drug will upset your stomach.
If you are taking this medicine only when you have a gout attack, start at the first signs of an attack. The medicine should relieve pain within 12 hours after you take it. Stop taking the medicine as soon as the pain is relieved or at the first sign of diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain. Your healthcare provider may limit how often you take this medicine, regardless of the frequency of attacks.
If you take this medicine regularly to prevent gout and you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, muscle weakness, burning in your throat or stomach, flushing, trouble breathing, trouble urinating, blood in your urine, confusion, seizures.
Your healthcare provider should check you regularly to see how this medicine affects you. You may need to have blood tests. Keep all appointments.
Use of alcohol while you are taking this medicine may increase stomach problems. Do not drink alcohol unless your healthcare provider approves.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
Adults over the age of 65 may be at greater risk for side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
Follow the diet program your healthcare provider recommends. Certain food or drinks may cause gout attacks. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away). If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, skin rash, weakness, numbness or tingling sensation, bloody or tarry stools, unusual bleeding or bruising, stomach pain.
Other: Loss of appetite, hair loss.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Also, using these medicines together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking any of these medicines:
Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking this medicine. Grapefruit affects the way this medicine works and may increase the risk of side effects.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
