Colchicine - KOL-chi-seen is using to prevent or treat attacks of gout - also called gouty arthritis. People with gout have too much uric acid in their blood and joints. An attack of gout occurs when uric acid causes inflammation - pain, redness, swelling and heat in a joint. Colchicine does not cure gout or take the place of other medication that lower the amount of uric acid in the body. It prevents or relieves gout attacks by reducing inflammation. Colchicine is not an ordinary pain reliever and will not relieve most kinds of pain.
Colchicine may also be using for other conditions as determined by your family doctor.
Colchicine may be using in 2 ways. Most people take small amounts of it regularly for a long time - months or even years to prevent severe attacks or other problems causing by inflammation. Other people take large amounts of colchicine during a short period of time - few hours only when the drug is needed to relieve an attack that is occurring. The risk of serious side effects is much lower with the first - preventive kind of treat.
Because some of colchicine's side effects can be very serious, you must discuss with your family doctor the good that this drug can do as well as the chance of using it. Make sure you understand exactly how you are to use it, and follow the instructions carefully, to lessen the risk of unwanted effects.
This drug is available only with your family doctor's prescription, in the following dosage forms: