Colchicine is a kind of medicine that is used to get relief from the pain of gout attacks. Gout attacks are those circumstances in which the body produces an excessive amount of uric acid, which leads to joint pains and swelling or redness in the joints. Colchicine, which can also be known as Colcrys, is also used to treat familial Mediterranean fever, which is common among children aged 4 years of age or older.

This drug is also known as the anti-gout agent. Sometimes people consider it a pain reliever. But it only works by stopping the natural processes that cause swelling and other symptoms of gout and fever, which can be painful. So, this drug should not be considered a pain killer.

Why  is colchicine used ?

Colchicine is an alkaloid extracted from the plants of the genus Colchicum, which is the autumn crocus.

This medicine is known for the treatment of inflammation and pain.

It treats attacks of gout. It is a long-term medicine. It is used to cure the pain of gout or the swellings that occur in the joints by naturally treating them, which is to control the uric acid effect in the body. It works in the kidney to control the excessive absorption of uric acid.

This prevents increased flare-ups of gout when the particular patient starts taking medicines like allopurinol.

It is also responsible for preventing the flare-ups of symptoms of familial Mediterranean fever, which is an inherited inflammatory condition.

Colchicine mechanism of action

Colchicine’s main mode of action involves tubulin dispersion. As a result, several inflammatory pathways are poorly regulated, and innate immunity is modulated.

Many newly defined mechanisms include different types of inhibitory effects on macrophages, including the inhibition of the NACHTLIED, which contains protein (protein 3) inflammasome. 

Additionally, colchicine has antifibrotic properties and has a variety of impacts on endothelial function. Colchicine is being used therapeutically for conditions like osteoarthritis, pericarditis, and atherosclerosis in addition to gouty arthritis and familial Mediterranean fever.

How to use colchicine orally?

The foremost rule is to read the guide given to you by your pharmacist who has given you the medicine before you start taking this medicine. 

For this medicine, it is prescribed to take it by mouth with or without food, depending on the condition you are in, which is checked by your doctor. The dosages are recommended in a wide range, which differs from patient to patient, and if you are thinking that increasing the dosages will show the result quickly, then you are in on a myth.

It may not increase the drug’s effectiveness, but it may instead increase the risk of side effects in your body.

It is preferable to visit a doctor and begin taking medication at the first symptom of a really severe gout attack. At the first indication of an attack, 1.2 milligrams should be taken, then an hour later, 0.6 milligrams.

The highest amount that is advised is 1.8 milligrams spread out across an hour.

The typical dosages of this drug are 1.2 to 2.4 mgs daily if you are treating familial Mediterranean fever. It is possible to take the entire dose all at once or in two doses each day.

Every drug or medicine has its effectiveness and its dosage is based completely on your medical condition, and other drugs/foods you are taking or had taken before, for a better response to any treatment. To reduce the risk of any kind of side effects, avoid increasing or decreasing the dosages on your own. and it is necessary to inform your doctor what are the effects you are observing after taking the medicines they have prescribed.

Side effects

The medications that include colchicine have some side effects. There may be vomiting, diarrhoea, nausea, and stomach discomfort. The first thing you should do in any of these situations is contact your doctor or pharmacist right away.

Your doctor must write a prescription for the drug because, in his or her opinion, the benefits to you outweigh the risks of side effects. It can happen that this drug has mild side effects at times, however it all depends on the individual’s body type and state of health.

If you experience any of these very serious side effects, stop taking the medication and seek medical attention right away. These side effects include unusual bruising or bleeding, severe diarrhoea or vomiting, muscle pain or weakness, numbness or tingling in your toes and fingers, pale or grey lips/tongue/hands, signs of infection (such as a sore throat that won’t go away, fever), unusual fatigue, a fast heartbeat, shortness of breath, and indications of (such as a change in the amount of urine).

Brand names

1. Colchicine oral tablets are available in two forms: generic and brand-name drugs. Label name: Colcrys.
2. This drug also comes in capsule form that is also available as both a generic and brand-name drug. Type name: Mitigare.
3. This drug is used to prevent or treat the symptoms of gout. This drug is used to treat familial Mediterranean fever. This condition can cause inflammation (pain and swelling) in the joints, lungs, or abdomen (stomach area).

Some important warnings

Muscle damage warning:

The risk is higher if you are a senior. taking an excessive amount of drugs is not suitable for the body to accept, which will eventually cause muscle damage, such cholesterol medications may increase the risk.

Overdose warning:

Taking too much of any medicine is harmful to health. It can cause many health issues and sometimes can lead to death. Never take more of this drug than your doctor prescribed.

Blood disorder warning:

Colchicine, this drug can cause your body to produce a fewer number of blood cells of different types.

This could lead to several types of internal infections or bleeding, as some blood cells will not be able to fight infections and can cause blood clotting. If you have blood disorders, you should first talk with your doctor before taking this drug to check if it is safe or not.