Prescription:

Colchicine is used most commonly to decrease and stop the pain and inflammation that comes with attacks of gout. It may sometimes be prescribed in lower doses to prevent gout attacks from occurring.

The usual dose to relieve symptoms of an acute gout attack or prevent them from getting worse is 0.6 to 1.2 mg, followed by 0.6 mg every hour or 1.2 mg every two hours. This dose is continued until pain is relieved or until you develop diarrhea. Then, the medication can be stopped and should not be started again to treat another gout attack for at least 3 days.
The usual dose to prevent acute gout attacks is 0.6 to 1.8 mg per day on three to seven days of each week. To prevent acute gout attacks during surgery, the recommended dose is 0.6 mg three times a day starting 3 days before surgery and continuing for 3 days afterward.

Why is this drug prescribed?

Colchicine was originally extracted from the autumn crocus but is now synthesised. Colchicine binds to a substance found in white blood cells. In gout, crystals of uric acid are deposited in certain joints. White blood cells migrate to the areas of the body where uric acid has been deposited. They attempt to engulf the crystals, and, as a result,lactic acid and pro-inflammatory enzymes are released. These substances give rise to the characteristic pain and swelling of gout. Colchicine inhibits the migration of the white blood cells into the inflamed area, causing a reduction in pain and inflammation.

Treatments

* Acute gout * Short-term prevention of gout

What side effects can this drug cause?

* Rash * Diarrhoea * Decreased production of blood cells by the bone marrow * Bleeding from the stomach * Damage to the liver * Damage to the kidneys * Abdominal pain * Nausea and vomiting * Blood disorders * Disorder of the muscles * Loss of hair * "Pins and needles" sensation in hands and feet