COLCHICINE DRUG INFO

IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before using this drug.

USES
Colchicine (KOL-chi-seen) is used to treat or prevent attacks of gout (also called gouty arthritis). Colchicine will not prevent the progression of this disease. It is useful only in decreasing the incidence of attacks and in relieving pain and discomfort. Colchicine is not an ordinary pain reliever and will not relieve most kinds of pain.

HOW TO USE
Colchicine is typically used in two ways. Most individuals take small amounts of Colchicine regularly for a long time (months or even years) to prevent severe attacks or other problems caused by inflammation. Other individuals take large amounts of Colchicine during a short period of time (several hours) only when the medicine is needed to relieve an attack that is actually occurring. The chance of serious side effects is actually much lower with the first (preventive) kind of treatment.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
Common side effects include diarrhea, nausea or vomiting and stomach pain. Rare side effects include - black, tarry stools; blood in urine or stools; difficulty in breathing when exercising ; fever with or without chills; headache; large, hive-like swellings on the face, eyelids, mouth, lips, and/or tongue; pinpoint red spots on skin; sores, ulcers, or white spots on lips or in mouth; sore throat; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual tiredness or weakness. Contact a doctor immediately if any of these side effects occur. Signs and symptoms of overdose include a burning feeling in the stomach, throat, or skin; diarrhea (severe or bloody); nausea, stomach pain, or vomiting (severe).

INTERACTIONS
Let the Doctor know of all prescription and non-prescription drugs that you are currently before you start taking Colchicine. When taking Colchicine, it is especially important that the Doctor know if you are taking any of the following - Amphotericin B by injection (e.g., Fungizone); Antineoplastics (cancer medicine); Antithyroid agents (medicine for overactive thyroid); Azathioprine (e.g., Imuran); Chloramphenicol (e.g., Chloromycetin); Cyclophosphamide (e.g., Cytoxan); Flucytosine (e.g., Ancobon); Ganciclovir (e.g., Cytovene); Interferon (e.g., Intron A, Roferon-A); Mercaptopurine (e.g., Purinethol); Methotrexate (e.g., Mexate); Phenylbutazone (e.g., Butazolidin); Plicamycin (e.g., Mithracin); Zidovudine (e.g., Retrovir).

PRECAUTIONS
If too much of it is taken or if it is taken too often, Colchicine can build up in the body and cause serious side effects. Therefore, do not take more it than directed by your doctor, and do not take it more often than directed by your doctor. This is especially important for elderly patients, who are more likely than younger adults to have Colchicine build up in the body and who are also more sensitive to its effects..

Keep out of the reach of children; Store away from heat and direct light; Do not store this medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down; Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.