Common Use

Colcrys is an oral medication used to treat severe gout and familial Mediterranean fever. Its active ingredient, colchicine, helps reduce inflammation caused by gout. It is primarily prescribed for acute gout flares but may also be used to manage conditions like amyloidosis, pseudogout, and scleroderma.

Dosage and Direction

The typical dosage for Colcrys is 1.2 mg initially, followed by 0.6 mg one hour later. For preventive purposes, 0.6 mg can be taken once or twice daily. This medication is only recommended for patients aged 16 and older. Dosage adjustments should be made by a healthcare provider based on factors like age, health condition, and potential side effects. Reduce the dose if side effects occur.

Precautions

• Elderly patients should use this medication with caution.
• Avoid alcohol during treatment, as it may reduce the drug's effectiveness.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before using Colcrys.
• Stop taking the medication and seek medical attention if severe side effects occur.
• Long-term use requires regular blood monitoring under professional supervision.

Contraindications

• Do not use Colcrys if you are allergic to colchicine.
• This medication is contraindicated in patients with liver or kidney disease.
• Inform your doctor if you have heart conditions, chronic stomach ulcers, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, intestinal bleeding, or other gastrointestinal disorders.

Possible Side Effects

• Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
• Other potential effects are hair loss, weakness, nerve irritation, anemia, low white blood cell counts, low platelet levels, and muscle pain.
• Contact your doctor immediately if any of these side effects occur.

Drug Interaction

Certain medications can interfere with Colcrys and reduce its elimination from the body. If taken alongside such drugs, the dosage of Colcrys may need to be adjusted. Medications that interact with Colcrys include:

• Reyataz, Biaxin, indinavir, Kaletra, Viracept
• Sporanox, telithromycin, Norvir, Invirase
• Agenerase, Cardizem, erythromycin, Emend
• Diflucan, grapefruit juice, verapamil, Lexiva, cyclosporine, ranolazine

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, skip it and continue with your regular schedule. Never take a double dose, as it may lead to overdose.

Overdose

In case of overdose, seek immediate medical attention at a poison control center or emergency room. Symptoms of overdose may resemble severe side effects.

Storage

Store Colcrys at a temperature between 20°C and 25°C. Keep the tablets in their original packaging, away from moisture, heat, direct sunlight, and out of reach of children.

Disclaimer

This information provides a general overview of Colcrys and does not include all possible details regarding usage, interactions, or precautions. It is not intended for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized advice. We are not responsible for any consequences resulting from the use or misuse of this information.