Treating Symptoms of Gout (Arthritis) with Colchicine
Colchicine tablet is an oral prescription drug. It is used to treat the symptoms of Gout which develops suddenly. Gout is a type of arthritis that causes your joints to swell. This is due to too much uric acid in the blood.
Colchicine can treat another rare condition, Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF). This is a condition that is passed down in families. FMF can cause inflammation in the lungs, joints and abdomen.
What condition does Colchicine treat?
Colchicine is used to treat the symptoms of gout such as:
- Sudden pain
- Swelling
Symptoms of Familial Mediterranean fever:
- Chest pain
- Fever
- Muscle aches
- Swollen joint
- Swollen, tender scrotum
How does Colchicine works?
Colchicine is an anti-drug medication. It works by lessening the uric acid buildup in the blood. It also decreases the swelling that causes pain in the affected joints. However, it does not cure gout. Colchicine will only prevent gout attacks.
Colchicine also works by decreasing amyloid A, a protein that builds up with people having FMF.
What is the dosage of Colchicine?
The recommended dose for gout is:
- 2 mg at first sign of symptoms to be followed by 0.6 mg an hour later with a minimum dose of 1.8 mg.
- 6 mg of Colchicine can prevent gout from flaring. It is taken once or twice a day.
For Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF)
- 3 – 1.8 mg once a day for children ages 4-6 years old
- 6 – 1.8 mg once a day for children ages 6-12 years old
How to take Colchicine?
Take colchicine exactly as directed by your physician. Your dose depends upon the following:
- Your condition
- Your age
- Your other medical condition
- Your reaction to the first dose
Take the medication with or without food. Colchicine works best if you take the medication at the first sign of attack.
What are the precautions in taking Colchicine?
- Limit your alcohol intake when taking this medication.
- Colchicine can decrease sperm production. Talk to your doctor.
- Do not drink grapefruit juice or eat grapefruit while taking colchicine. Grapefruit can make your body unable to process colchicine well.
Colchicine comes with several warnings.
- Allergic reaction- Colchicine can cause allergic reaction with symptoms such as:
- swelling of your throat
- swelling of tongue
- trouble breathing
Taking the drug that you are allergic with can be fatal.
- Pregnant women- Enough studies were made showing how this drug can affect the unborn child.
- Breastfeeding- It can pass into breast milk. This may cause side effects to the child.
Costs of Colchicine
The generic brand Colchicine is cheaper than the brand name Mitigare. Colchicine 0.5 mg costs $0.42 per unit price or $25.25 for 60 tabs. While the branded Mitigare 0.5 mg costs $3.18 per unit price or $190.50 for 60 tablets.