Colcrys

Colchicine Drug Information

• Colcrys Overview

  Colcrys is used to prevent or treat gout attacks (flares). Usually gout symptoms develop suddenly and involve only one or a few joints. The big toe, knee, or ankle joints are most often affected. Gout is caused by too much uric acid in the blood. When uric acid levels in the blood are too high, the uric acid may form hard crystals in your joints. Colchicine works by decreasing swelling and lessening the build up of uric acid crystals that cause pain in the affected joint(s). Colcrys is also used to prevent attacks of pain in the abdomen, chest, or joints caused by a certain inherited disease (familial Mediterranean fever). It is thought to work by decreasing your body's production of a certain protein (amyloid A) that builds up in people with familial Mediterranean fever. Colchicine is not a pain medication and should not be used to relieve other causes of pain.

• How to Use Colcrys

  Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start taking colchicine and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions regarding the information, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Take Colcrys by mouth with or without food, exactly as directed by your doctor. Dosing recommendations vary widely and may be different from the following recommendations. Taking more than the recommended dose may not increase Colcrys's effectiveness and may increase your risk for side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details. If you are taking Colcrys to treat a gout attack, carefully follow the directions given by your doctor. Colcrys works best if you take it at the first sign of an attack. The recommended dose is 1.2 milligrams at the first sign of an attack, followed by 0.6 milligrams one hour later. The maximum recommended dose is 1.8 milligrams taken over a 1-hour period. Ask your doctor ahead of time about how soon you can repeat treatment with Colcrys if you have another gout attack. If you are taking Colcrys to prevent gout attacks or for pericarditis, ask your doctor about the dose and schedule you should follow. Carefully follow your doctor's directions. If you are taking Colcrys to prevent attacks of pain caused by familial Mediterranean fever, the usual dose is 1.2 to 2.4 milligrams daily. The total dose may be taken once daily or divided into two doses a day. Your doctor may need to adjust your dose to control your symptoms or if you have side effects. The Dosage of Colcrys is based on your medical condition, other drugs/foods you may be taking, and response to treatment. To reduce your risk for serious side effects, do not increase your dose, take it more frequently, or take it for a longer time than directed by your doctor. Serious side effects may occur even at usual prescribed doses. If your doctor directs you to take colchicine regularly, use it regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time(s) each day. Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while being treated with Colcrys unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Grapefruit can increase the amount of certain medications in your bloodstream. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details. If you are taking Colcrys to treat symptoms due to familial Mediterranean fever, tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens.

• Colcrys Precautions

  Before taking Colcrys, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. Colcrys may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using Colcrys, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history,kidney problems, liver problems (such as cirrhosis). Alcohol can decrease Colcrys's effectiveness. Limit alcohol while taking Colcrys. Colcrys can affect how well your body absorbs some foods and nutrients (such as vitamin B12). Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of Colcrys, especially muscle weakness/pain and numbness/tingling in their fingers or toes. Colchicine can decrease sperm production, which may affect the ability of a male to father a child. Consult your doctor for more information. During pregnancy, Colcrys should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Colcrys passes into breast milk. While there have been no reports of harm to nursing infants, consult your doctor before breast-feeding. Your doctor may recommend that you separate the time(s) you take your medication apart from breast-feeding.

• Colcrys Misdose

  If you are taking colchicine regularly and miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

• Colcrys Interactions

  See also How to Use and Precautions sections. The effects of some drugs can change if you take other drugs or herbal products at the same time. This can increase your risk for serious side effects or may cause your medications not to work correctly. These drug interactions are possible, but do not always occur. Your doctor or pharmacist can often prevent or manage interactions by changing how you use your medications or by close monitoring. To help your doctor and pharmacist give you the best care, be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products) before starting treatment with Colcrys. While using Colcrys, do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any other medicines you are using without your doctor's approval. Other medications can affect the removal of colchicine from your body, which may affect how colchicine works or increase the risk of serious side effects. Examples include certain azole antifungals (such as itraconazole, ketoconazole), diltiazem, HIV medications (such as ritonavir), macrolide antibiotics (such as clarithromycin, erythromycin), telithromycin, verapamil, among others. Colchicine may rarely cause a certain serious (even fatal) muscle damage (rhabdomyolysis). This muscle damage releases substances that can lead to serious kidney problems. The risk may be increased if other drugs that may also cause rhabdomyolysis are taken along with colchicine.digoxin, gemfibrozil, pravastatin, simvastatin, among others. Colcrys may interfere with certain laboratory tests, possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use Colcrys. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use. Share this list with your doctor and pharmacist to lessen your risk for serious medication problems.

• Colcrys Side Effects

  What are Colcrys side effects?

  Side effects are physical, mental or emotional symptoms which occur in addition to or outside of the desired effect of a therapeutic treatment such as an over-the-counter or prescribed drug or medication. Side effects from Colcrys may occur at the beginning or at the end of treatment and may also depend on the length of time an individual remains on the treatment. Side effects, also known as adverse effects, are generally more likely to occur when starting treatment. Individuals may also experience side effects from Colcrys as a result of an interaction with other medications.

  Side Effects of Colcrys

  The side effects of Colcrys may vary in number and intensity for many different reasons. Factors such as age, weight, gender and ethnicity may influence the side effects of Colcrys. Also, an individual’s state of general physical health and seriousness of the disease or illness as well as an increase or decrease in dosage may lead to side effects. Further, side effects from Colcrys may also occur as a result of an interaction with certain herbal supplements, foods or drinks.

  Prescription drug side effects can be serious and may cause patients to stop the treatment. However, when side effects from the use of a prescription drug, such as Colcrys, do occur a patient should consult their physician. A physician may prescribe an additional treatment in order to control the symptoms or an adjustment in the dosage may be made. In addition, changes to diet, exercise or other lifestyle activities may help to lessen the side effects of Colcrys.

  By understanding side effects and the factors which may influence the occurrence of side effects patients are empowered to take an active role in their care. Patients who have specific questions about the side effects of Colcrys, or any other medication, should contact their physician. General information about Colcrys and the side effects associated with Colcrys are described in the following:

  Common Colcrys Side Effects

  Severe

  Less Severe

  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • abdominal pain with cramps
  • sore throat

  Less Frequent Colcrys Side Effects

  Severe

  Less Severe

  Rare or Very Rare Colcrys Side Effects

  Severe

  • bone marrow depression
  • aplastic anemia
  • thrombocytopenic disorder
  • agranulocytosis
  • increased alanine transaminase
  • myopathy
  • allergic dermatitis
  • urticaria
  • skin rash
  • disseminated intravascular coagulation
  • angioedema
  • purpura
  • rhabdomyolysis
  • peripheral motor neuropathy
  • increased aspartate transaminase

  Less Severe

  • alopecia
  • azoospermia
  • oligospermia
  • peripheral sensory neuropathy

• Colcrys Storage

  Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard Colcrys when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.