Colchicine

Introduction

Written by Carla Eisenstein, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Dena Westphalen, PharmD
Updated on March 9, 2023

Colchicine is a generic medication that’s prescribed for gout flares and familial Mediterranean fever. It’s available as the brand-name drugs Colcrys and Mitigare. Colchicine’s cost can depend on several factors and may be lowered by using a coupon.

Colchicine comes in these forms: a tablet and a capsule, both of which you swallow.

Read on to learn about colchicine and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about colchicine, including its uses, refer to this overview article.

Cost of colchicine

Like other medications, the cost of colchicine can vary. Certain things may affect its price, such as:

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the condition you take it for
• the pharmacy you use

To find out how much colchicine costs, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They may be able to suggest ways to save money on your prescription, including those described in this article. To find out what you’d pay using savings coupons, read the “Coupons for colchicine” section.

Coupons for colchicine

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of colchicine. The Optum Perks coupons above can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.

Available app for coupons

To make finding and using these coupons easier, you can download the Optum Perks app. To learn more about this prescription discount app, see this article.

Common questions about colchicine and cost

Here are some common questions about colchicine and their answers. 

How much does colchicine cost without insurance?

Colchicine’s cost without insurance will depend on several factors. (To learn more, see the “Cost of colchicine” section.) You may be able to save money by using a coupon or getting a 90-day supply of the drug. (For details about coupon options, see the “Coupons for colchicine” section above.)

It’s important to note that colchicine is an older drug. So the drug’s cost without insurance will not be as high as the cost of newer drugs.

If you have questions about how much colchicine costs without insurance, talk with your pharmacist or doctor.

Why are costs different for brand-name drugs vs. generic drugs?

In general, brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the studies needed to test how safe and effective they are.

Makers of a brand-name drug can sell their drug for up to 20 years. When the patent for a brand-name drug expires, other drugmakers can make and sell generic versions. A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication.

This competition may help keep the costs of generic medications lower. Also, generic medications contain the same active drugs as brand-name medications. So they don’t require the same testing, which can be costly.

If you’d like to know more about the cost difference between brand-name and generic drugs, talk with your doctor.

Insurance and other considerations for colchicine

Here’s a list of things to consider about the cost of prescription drugs:

• Prior authorization. If you have prescription drug insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers the cost of colchicine. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for colchicine. The insurance company will decide whether to cover the medication. If a drug requires prior authorization and you begin taking it without this, you may have to pay the full price of the drug.
• A 3-month supply. If you’re taking colchicine long term, your doctor may suggest a 90-day supply of the medication. This will have to be approved by your insurance company. Getting a 90-day supply could help lower the drug’s cost. It could also save you time having to make trips to your pharmacy.

If you have questions about any of these considerations, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Or contact your insurance company and talk with a representative.

If you don’t have a health insurance plan, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They may suggest online pharmacy options you could use. You can also ask them about ways to obtain health insurance coverage.

Mail-order pharmacies

You can receive certain medications through a mail-order pharmacy. Getting a prescription this way can help lower the drug’s cost. It also means you can receive the drug without leaving your home. Some Medicare plans may cover the cost of mail-order medications.

Generics vs. brand-names

Colchicine is a generic medication. It’s available as the brand-name drugs Colcrys and Mitigare.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.)

Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name versions.

If your doctor has prescribed colchicine, but you’re interested in taking Colcrys or Mitigare, let them know. They may prefer one medication over the other. Also, check whether your insurance plan covers only one version of the drug.

To learn how the cost of colchicine compares with its brand-name versions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company. 

What to ask about colchicine

This article provides cost information related to colchicine. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. Above on this page, you’ll find coupons for colchicine.

If you have more questions about paying for this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also contact your insurance company.

Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask regarding the cost of your medication:

• Will my prescription cost less if I take generic colchicine instead of the brand-name version?
• How can I find out whether colchicine is covered under my Medicare prescription drug plan?
• My doctor prescribed a higher dose of colchicine for me. Will it cost more than a lower dose?
• Are there other treatments for gout that cost less?

Resources

• Colchicine tablets, for oral use. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/94bee24f-d846-4344-bc42-b2eae6b433ba/spl-doc
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm

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.