Colchicine: What is it and what is it for?

What is colchicine?

Colchicine is amedicine used to treat gout attacks. Gout is a chronic disease, caused by the deposit of urate crystals (formed from uric acid) that, in high concentrations, are deposited in the synovial membrane of the joints, generating an inflammatory and painful response.

What is colchicine for?

• Colchicinedecreases cellular chemotaxis, that is, it inhibits the release of signals that attract immune cells and pro-inflammatory substances (neutrophils, interleukins).
• It is used to treat:
  • Patients with symptoms of acute gout attack and chronic gout. (1)
  • Episodes of serositis caused by familial Mediterranean fever or amyloidosis.
  • Acute or recurrent pericarditis (inflammation of the pericardium). (2)

Colchicine Dosage and Routes of Administration

The doses of colchicine vary, depending on whether itis acute or chronic episodes of gout, it is also part of the therapy against other pathologies previously mentioned. Below, we list the corresponding dosage:

• 0.5 mg and 1 mg tablets: They are given by oral administration, used to treat the following diseases:
  • Acute attacks of gout: 1 mg (1 or 2 tablets) at the beginning of symptoms. Subsequently, the dose is decreased to 0.5 mg – 1 mg every 1 to 2 hours until the disappearance of symptoms.
  • Prevention of gout attack: 0.5 mg, two or three times a week.
  • Familial Mediterranean fever: Children over 12 years and adults 1-2 mg every 24 hours. Doses can be divided into one or two daily doses.
  • Acute pericarditis: 0.5-1.2 mg daily, divided into one or two daily doses, for 3 months. For recurrent pericarditis, the dose should be administered up to six months. (3)

What products contain colchicine?

Some of the medicines that contain colchicine are:

• Colchicine SEID,® 0.5 and 1 mg tablets.
• Colchimax®, 0.5 mg/5 mg tablets.

SEID® Colchicine

• It is the trade name of colchicine, an anti-gout medicine with anti-inflammatory mechanisms of action, thus reducing pain and discomfort in patients with gout.
• It is also used in acute and recurrent pericarditis , as well as familial Mediterranean fever.

Colchimax®

• It is a medicine made up of colchicine and dicycloverinetag. Dicycloverine is an antispasmodic antagonist ofacetylcholine receptors , at the smooth muscle level.
• Dicycloverine is used in conditions other than gout, such as irritable bowel syndrome and spastic constipation .

Colchicine Side Effects

Colchicine has a narrow therapeutic margin, meaning that patients must be constantly monitored as there is a certain risk of toxicity. The most common side effects are listed below:

• Diarrhea and vomiting .
• Nausea and abdominal pain.
• muscle weakness
• Headache.
• Bone marrow failure
• Hair loss .

Contraindications and warnings of colchicine

Colchicine treatment should be closely monitored , as colchicine toxicity is greater in certain subgroups of patients, such as:

• Patients with renal insufficiency and hepatic insufficiency (the dose must be adjusted depending on the degree of insufficiency).
• Elderly patients (high doses of colchicine should never be administered).

Avoid if you have:

• Hypersensitivity to colchicine or to the excipients of the drug.
• Severe renal or hepatic insufficiency.
• Severe gastrointestinal disorders and/or active bleeding ulcer.

Warnings:

• Simultaneous use of certain medications (such as macrolides, protease inhibitors, or statins such as pravastatin ) increase the risk of poisoning.
• Colchicine reduces intestinal absorption of vitamin B12 .
• In the elderly, debilitated children, and chronic alcohol users, the risk of toxic events is significantly higher.

Important: Always avoid self-medication, Consult your preferred doctor for more information on your therapeutic options.