Colchicine for Attack of gout - Drug Information

Generic Name - Colchicine

Category - Arthritis

Indications

Attack of gout
Colchicine is indicated to prevent attacks of gout (also called gouty arthritis).People with gout have too much uric acid in their blood and joints.An attack of gout occurs when uric acid causes inflammation (pain, redness, swelling and hear) in a joint. Colchicine reduces the formation of uric acid crystals in the affected joint and thereby reduces the amount of acute inflammation and pain.

Colchicine Contraindications and Drug Interactions

Colchicine is contraindicated in patients, who are hypersensitive to this drug, medications that belong to this class of drugs or had an allergic reaction to it in the past.
Colchicine should not be taken by patients who have a history of the following ailment conditions.

Blood disorders
Dental disease
Having intramuscular injections
Heart disease
Kidney disease
Liver disease
Stomach or intestinal disease

There are a number of medications that interact with Colchicine.It is important to take the doctor's counsel if you are taking any of the following.

Anti inflammatorydrugs
Clarithromycin
Cyanocobalamin
Vitamin B 12
Cyclosporine
Erythromycin

Colchicine Dosage

The following information just highlights the general average dosage of Colchicine,
The usual recommended dosage of Colchicine for Acute gouty arthritis attacks is 1 milligram, followed by 0.5 to 1.5 milligrams every 1 to 2 hours until the pain subsides. One should not exceed 8 milligrams of Colchicine per day.

Colchicine Adverse Effects

Some of the most serious Colchicine side Effects include blood in urine,
Difficulty breathing, fever, chills, or sore throat, muscle weakness, nausea, vomiting,
Numbness or tingling in hands or feet, pain or difficulty passing urine, and skin rash.

This is not a complete list of all Side effects. Do concur with your doctor and follow his directions completely when you are taking Colchicine.

Colchicine and Pregnancy

Studies indicate that use of Colchicine during pregnancy can cause harm to the fetus. Therefore, check with your doctor immediately if you suspect that you have become pregnant while taking this medicine.

Colchicine and Breastfeeding

Studies do not indicate whether Colchicine can cause problems in nursing babies when used by the mother while breast feeding. Hence, Mothers who are taking this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.

Colchicine and Pediatric

The safety and effectiveness of Colchicine in pediatric patients have not been established.

Colchicine and Geriatric

Geriatric patients, even those with normal renal and hepatic function, may be more susceptible to cumulative toxicity with Colchicine. Also, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related renal function impairment, which increases the risk of myopathy and other toxic effects in patients receiving Colchicine. Hence, caution and careful attention to dosage are recommended.

Note

The above information about Colchicine serves as an information resource only and is not intended to substitute professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis and treatment.Always seek the counsel of your doctor, physician or pharmacist before starting any new treatment or making changes to existing therapy.