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Dr. Aditya Shah
Expert In Clinical Pharmacology And Drug SafetyView moreWhat Is Colchicine?
Joint pain causes pain, and swelling is often found under the conditions of gout. A medicine that ideally treats this condition is Colchicine. Gout arthritis is a common suffering among the elderly these days, but these attacks are cured with this medicine.
It may also treat a range of heart conditions and familial Mediterranean fever. We will get to the uses of the medicine in the later section, but as of now remember that you need to go to a doctor to assess the issue and find out if taking this pill is suitable for your health.
What Is Colchicine Used For?
Let us know in detail if there are various uses of Colchicine as you may not know. Although a doctor figures out if you need to use this pill it is a good idea to know about the conditions it can treat-
- Gout attacks that cause immense pain and swelling in the joints due to arthritis
- Avoid getting a heart attack or a stroke.
- As an anesthetic during many heart procedures
- Avoid death due to atherosclerosis.
- Familial Mediterranean fever
Since this tablet has many different forms like oral solution and tablets it is a good idea to know which of these will suit your health.
How It Works
It helps reduce a major gout attack threat. And as you keep consistent with the regular doses it helps lower the amount of uric acid deposition in the joints to avoid a severe swelling and pain incident.
Preventing stroke or reducing the severity of atherosclerosis, helps by reducing the plaque deposition with time.
What Are The Dosages Of Colchicine?
Gout attacks, this issue is curable with a small dose of the medicine like a 0.6 mg dose. The frequency may vary from once or twice during the whole day. Those taking its suspension form may take up to 5 ml of the medicine for use in children and up to 10 ml for adults.
Mediterranean fever, this issue may need a higher dose as the doctor tells you to use up to 1.2 mg to 2.4 mg of the medicine in two divisions throughout the day at equal intervals.
For children, the oral suspension dose will not be more than 1.5 mg per day again divided into one or two doses as the doctors feel right.
Any form of heart issue like the ones mentioned above only needs a small dose of up to 0.5 mg per day taken only once daily.
How Should I Take Colchicine?
You can administer the tablet version of the medicine taking it through the oral route by simply swallowing the tablet whole. Both options are not bad whether you take the medicine before having a meal or after it. The oral suspension is easier to administer in children using a spoon and feeding them.
What Are The Possible Side Effects Of Colchicine?
We divide the class of side effects into two types with one being the more common issues. Diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, and vomiting are the ones that can occur at different stages of your treatment.
Usually, these may last for a few days or go away after adjusting to the effects. However, if not then you can go to a doctor to readjust the dose but there is no need to stop taking it right now.
Rare but more concerning issues using the medicine are-
- Black stools
- Fever that usually does not go away even with pills.
- Headache
- Pain
- Peeling of skin
- Skin rashes along with bulge and inflammation
- Throat sore
- Ulcers
- Hot flushing
- Weakness
- Numb feeling at the toes and palms
If you have signs of any of these it is better to stop taking the dose. However, since the issue can be worse without a treatment go to a doctor and find out if a smaller variant of Colchicine can suit you or else if you need to change the brand altogether.
What Special Precautions Should I Follow?
While using Colchicine, you need to go to a doctor for repeated health checkups. Since any disorder is not curable but only acts as a preventive measure a doctor will keep track of your health progress during this time.
Avoid the inclusion of the medicine with alcohol or any addictive substance as it only gives way for side effects to become more intense.
This medicine is responsible for lowering WBCs in your blood and makes you prone to several infections. This is a major health risk one you need to tell the doctors without wasting any time.
What Else Should I Know About Colchicine?
You must know if the medicine is suitable to use along with other pills that you also use for curing other health issues.
At least some medicines we know of are not safe like the ones that help improve blood pressure, control heartbeat, medicines after a stroke or surgery, and different antivirals like ritonavir.
Tell the doctor about any other prescription or pill to know about their interaction chances with Colchicine.
FAQ
What Should I Do If I Forget A Dose?
With the majority of the time still left for the next dose you can still probably take the missed one.
How Should I Store Colchicine?
An area of your house wisely chosen with less humidity and room temperature with minimal direct sunlight is the one to choose.
What If I Miss A Dose?
A daily time habit of taking your pills on time with consistent doses is best, however, a single missed dose may not worry you that much.
Is It Safe To Buy Colchicine Online?
With prescriptions and knowing a good online sales partner you can always go ahead and buy this medicine from generic websites.
Should Colchicine Be Taken With Food?
It is safe with or even on an empty stomach before a meal. You can try testing both ways and find out the one that suits your age.
What Foods Should You Avoid While Taking Colchicine?
Doctors mostly talk about one food item in particular which you have to avoid at all costs and that is grape juice.
