Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved colchicine oral tablet for the following uses in adults and some children:
This article describes possible side effects of colchicine oral tablet. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for colchicine. You can explore this overview article to learn more about colchicine oral tablet, including the drug’s uses, side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.
Colchicine oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Colcrys. Colchicine also comes as an oral capsule, but this form isn’t described in this article. To learn more about this form, talk with your doctor.
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More common side effects of colchicine
Colchicine oral tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.
Commonly reported side effects of colchicine oral tablet include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of colchicine in detail” section below.
Mild side effects of colchicine
Colchicine may cause certain mild side effects. Usually, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects of colchicine oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of colchicine in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with colchicine oral tablet. But it wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies. However, allergic reactions have happened since colchicine oral tablet was approved for use.
Colchicine oral tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.
Serious side effects of colchicine
Colchicine may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from colchicine oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with colchicine.
Serious side effects of colchicine oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of colchicine in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with colchicine oral tablet. But it wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies. However, allergic reactions have happened since colchicine oral tablet was approved for use.
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Side effects of colchicine in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of colchicine oral tablet.
Diarrhea
In studies, diarrhea was common in people taking colchicine. This side effect is usually mild and goes away with treatment for diarrhea.
Symptoms may include:
Ways to manage
If you experience symptoms of diarrhea, be sure to drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. Serious diarrhea with dehydration can cause kidney problems with colchicine.
If your diarrhea symptoms are serious or don’t go away, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend ways to manage serious diarrhea, including taking loperamide (Imodium), a medication to treat diarrhea. Your doctor may also have you stop taking colchicine if needed.
Abdominal pain
In studies, abdominal pain was commonly reported in people taking colchicine oral tablet. This side effect is usually mild and goes away as you continue taking colchicine.
Ways to manage
If you experience abdominal pain that doesn’t go away or is bothersome, tell your doctor. They can review your symptoms and discuss whether you need to stop taking colchicine.
Also let your doctor know if you have nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea with abdominal pain. This can increase your risk of dehydration, which can further cause kidney problems if not managed.
Depending on the severity of your symptoms, your doctor may recommend:
- eating smaller meals
- avoiding spicy or greasy foods
- drinking plenty of water
Muscle cell breakdown
In studies, rhabdomyolysis (muscle cell breakdown) was a rare side effect in people taking colchicine oral tablet. This side effect can be serious and may lead to kidney damage.
Symptoms may include:
Ways to manage
If you experience symptoms of rhabdomyolysis, call your doctor immediately. They’ll likely recommend you stop taking colchicine and prescribe a treatment for your rhabdomyolysis.
Before you start taking colchicine, tell your doctor if you have kidney problems or liver problems. These conditions can cause the drug to build up in your body and increase your risk of rhabdomyolysis. Your doctor may start you with a lower dose of colchicine if you have severe liver or kidney problems.
Colchicine can interact with certain other medications, which can increase your risk of rhabdomyolysis. Tell your doctor about all the medications and over-the-counter products you’re taking.
You should also avoid grapefruit or grapefruit products while you’re taking colchicine. Consuming grapefruit and taking colchicine together can cause the drug to build up in the body. This can increase your risk of rhabdomyolysis.
Allergic reaction
For some people, colchicine oral tablet can cause an allergic reaction. This side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies. However, allergic reactions have happened after colchicine was approved for use.
Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:
- itchiness
- skin rash
- swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know if you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to colchicine oral tablet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Common questions about side effects of colchicine
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of colchicine oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Can colchicine cause kidney-related side effects?
Yes, colchicine can cause kidney-related side effects in some people. In studies, this was a serious but rare side effect of the drug.
Common side effects of colchicine include diarrhea and vomiting. If they’re severe, dehydration can occur, which can lead to kidney problems.
Colchicine can also cause serious muscle cell breakdown, known as rhabdomyolysis. This is a rare but serious side effect that can cause kidney damage if it’s not treated quickly. (For details, see the section “Side effects of colchicine in detail” section above.)
If you have kidney problems, tell your doctor. They’ll likely check how well your kidneys are working before you begin taking colchicine. And they’ll continue to monitor your kidney function while you’re taking the drug. Your doctor may also prescribe a lower dose of colchicine if you have severe kidney problems.
Does colchicine cause long-term side effects?
Yes, in rare cases, colchicine oral tablet may cause long-term side effects. Usually, side effects of colchicine are mild and go away with continued use. They may go away within a few months of stopping the medication. But long-term side effects can occur if you take the drug for a long time. Or side effects may last for a while after you’ve stopped taking the drug.
Examples of long-term side effects reported with colchicine oral tablet include:
It’s important to note that muscle cell breakdown can cause long-term kidney problems in rare cases.
For more information about these side effects and how to manage them, talk with your doctor. They can tell you how long these side effects may last.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of colchicine in detail” section above.
Is weight loss a side effect of colchicine?
No, weight loss wasn’t a side effect in studies of colchicine. However, common side effects of colchicine include diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. If these are severe, you may lose some weight temporarily. (For more details about diarrhea and colchicine, see the “Side effects of colchicine in detail” section above.)
Talk with your doctor if you’re concerned about weight loss with colchicine. They can discuss the likelihood of this happening while taking the drug.
Coupon for colchicine
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You can refer to this in-depth article for more information about the cost of colchicine treatment.
Warnings for colchicine
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking colchicine oral tablet.
Warnings
It may not be safe for you to take colchicine oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether colchicine oral tablet is safe for you.
Before taking colchicine oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:
Colchicine and pregnancy
It’s not known whether colchicine oral tablet should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Colchicine and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether colchicine oral tablet should be taken while breastfeeding. But colchicine is known to pass into breast milk. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Colchicine and alcohol
Colchicine oral tablet is not known to interact with alcohol.
However, drinking alcohol may worsen gout symptoms. Alcohol could also increase your risk of common side effects of the drug, including diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, liver problems, and headache.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it while you’re taking colchicine oral tablet.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of colchicine oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about taking this medication.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Will I have a higher risk of side effects if I take colchicine with other medications?
- Does my dosage of colchicine affect my risk of side effects?
- Are there other medications for my condition with fewer side effects than colchicine?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
