Important: This page is general information, not medical advice. It does not recommend or prescribe any treatment. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping or changing any medicine.
Quick facts
- Drug class
- Alkaloid [EPC]
- How it is given
- oral
- Type
- human prescription drug
- RxNorm ID
- 197541
We do not publish dosing. How much of this medicine to take, how often, and for how long depends on your age, weight, kidney and liver function, other conditions and other medicines. That is a decision for the person who prescribes or dispenses it. Follow the directions on your own pack and ask your pharmacist if anything is unclear.
What it is used to treat
Colchicine tablets are an alkaloid indicated for: • Prophylaxis and treatment of gout flares in adults ( 1.1 ). • Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) in adults and children 4 years or older ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ). 1.1 Gout Flares Colchicine tablets are indicated for prophylaxis and the treatment of acute gout flares. • Prophylaxis of Gout Flares: Colchicine tablets are indicated for prophylaxis of gout flares. • Treatment of Gout Flares: Colchicine tablets are indicated for treatment of acute gout flares when taken at the first sign of a flare. 1.2 Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) Colchicine tablets are indicated in adults and children four years or older for treatment of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF).
About this medicine
Colchicine is an alkaloid chemically described as (S)N-(5,6,7,9-tetrahydro-1,2,3,10-tetramethoxy-9-oxobenzo [alpha] heptalen-7-yl) acetamide with a molecular formula of C 22 H 25 NO 6 and a molecular weight of 399.4. The structural formula of colchicine is given below. Colchicine, USP occurs as a white to pale yellow powder that is very soluble in water, freely soluble in alcohol and chloroform, slightly soluble in ether, practically insoluble in cyclohexane. Colchicine Tablets, USP are supplied for oral administration as purple color, film-coated, capsule shaped tablets debossed with ‘ 372’ on one side and score line on the other side of the tablet. Each tablet contains 0.6 mg of the active ingredient colchicine USP. Inactive ingredients: FD&C BLUE #2, FD&C RED #40, hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, macrogol, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polydextrose, pregelatinized starch, sodium starch glycolate, titanium dioxide and triacetin. Colchicine Structural Formula logo
How it works
12.1 Mechanism of Action The mechanism by which colchicine tablets exert its beneficial effect in patients with FMF has not been fully elucidated; however, evidence suggests that colchicine may interfere with the intracellular assembly of the inflammasome complex present in neutrophils and monocytes that mediates activation of interleukin-1β. Additionally, colchicine disrupts cytoskeletal functions through inhibition of β-tubulin polymerization into microtubules and consequently prevents the activation, degranulation and migration of neutrophils thought to mediate some gout symptoms.
Who should not take it
Patients with renal or hepatic impairment should not be given colchicine tablets in conjunction with P-gp or strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (this includes all protease inhibitors except fosamprenavir). In these patients, life-threatening and fatal colchicine toxicity has been reported with colchicine taken in therapeutic doses. Patients with renal or hepatic impairment should not be given colchicine tablets in conjunction with P-gp or strong CYP3A4 inhibitors ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ). In these patients, life-threatening and fatal colchicine toxicity has been reported with colchicine taken in therapeutic doses ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ).
Warnings and cautions
• Fatal overdoses have been reported with colchicine in adults and children. Keep colchicine tablets out of the reach of children ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. , Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ). • Blood dyscrasias: myelosuppression, leukopenia, granulocytopenia, thrombocytopenia and aplastic anemia have been reported ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ). • Monitor for toxicity and if present consider temporary interruption or discontinuation of colchicine ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. , Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. , Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. , Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. , Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ). • Drug interaction P-gp and/or CYP3A4 inhibitors: Coadministration of colchicine with P-gp and/or strong CYP3A4 inhibitors has resulted in life-threatening interactions and death ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. , Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ). • Neuromuscular toxicity: Myotoxicity including rhabdomyolysis may occur, especially in combination with other drugs known to cause this effect. Consider temporary interruption or discontinuation of colchicine tablets ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. , Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ). 5.1 Fatal Overdose Fatal overdoses, both accidental and intentional, have been reported in adults and children who have ingested colchicine [see Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ] . Colchicine tablets should be kept out of the reach of children. 5.2 Blood Dyscrasias Myelosuppression, leukopenia, granulocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, pancytopenia and aplastic anemia have been reported with colchicine used in therapeutic doses. 5.3 Drug Interactions Colchicine is a P-gp and CYP3A4 substrate. Life-threatening and fatal drug interactions have been reported in patients treated with colchicine given with P-gp and strong CYP3A4 inhibitors. If treatment with a P-gp or strong CYP3A4 inhibitor is required in patients with normal renal and hepatic function, the patient’s dose of colchicine may need to be reduced or interrupted [see Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ] . […]
Reported side effects
Prophylaxis of Gout Flares: The most commonly reported adverse reaction in clinical trials of colchicine for the prophylaxis of gout was diarrhea. Treatment of Gout Flares: The most common adverse reactions reported in the clinical trial with colchicine tablets for treatment of gout flares were diarrhea (23%) and pharyngolaryngeal pain (3%). FMF: Gastrointestinal tract adverse effects are the most frequent side effects in patients initiating colchicine tablets, usually presenting within 24 hours, and occurring in up to 20% of patients given therapeutic doses. Typical symptoms include cramping, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain and vomiting. These events should be viewed as dose-limiting if severe, as they can herald the onset of more significant toxicity. • Prophylaxis of Gout Flares: The most commonly reported adverse reaction in clinical trials for the prophylaxis of gout was diarrhea. • Treatment of Gout Flares: The most common adverse reactions reported in the clinical trial for gout were diarrhea (23%) and pharyngolaryngeal pain (3%). • FMF: Most common adverse reactions (up to 20%) are abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. These effects are usually mild, transient and reversible upon lowering the dose ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ). To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Inc., at 1-888- 375-3784 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience in Gout Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying and controlled conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not predict the rates observed in a broader patient population in clinical practice. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in patients with a gout flare, gastrointestinal adverse reactions occurred in 26% of patients using the recommended dose (1.8 mg over one hour) of colchicine tablets compared to 77% of patients taking a nonrecommended high dose (4.8 mg over six hours) of colchicine and 20% of patients taking placebo. […]
Interactions with other medicines
Colchicine is a substrate of the efflux transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp). Of the cytochrome P450 enzymes tested, CYP3A4 was mainly involved in the metabolism of colchicine. If colchicine tablets are administered with drugs that inhibit P-gp, most of which also inhibit CYP3A4, increased concentrations of colchicine are likely. Fatal drug interactions have been reported. Physicians should ensure that patients are suitable candidates for treatment with colchicine tablets and remain alert for signs and symptoms of toxicities related to increased colchicine exposure as a result of a drug interaction. Signs and symptoms of colchicine tablets toxicity should be evaluated promptly and, if toxicity is suspected, colchicine tablets should be discontinued immediately. Table 4 provides recommendations as a result of other potentially significant drug interactions. Table 1 provides recommendations for strong and moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors and P-gp inhibitors. Table 4. Other Potentially Significant Drug Interactions Concomitant Drug Class or Food Noted or Anticipated Outcome Clinical Comment HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors: atorvastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin Pharmacokinetic and/or pharmacodynamic interaction: the addition of one drug to a stable long-term regimen of the other has resulted in myopathy and rhabdomyolysis (including a fatality) Weigh the potential benefits and risks and carefully monitor patients for any signs or symptoms of muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, particularly during initial therapy; monitoring CPK (creatine phosphokinase) will not necessarily prevent the occurrence of severe myopathy. Other Lipid-Lowering Drugs: fibrates, gemfibrozil Digitalis Glycosides: digoxin P-gp substrate; rhabdomyolysis has been reported Coadministration of P-gp and/or CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., clarithromycin or cyclosporine) have been demonstrated to alter the concentration of colchicine. The potential for drug-drug interactions must be considered prior to and during therapy. See FPI for a complete list of reported and potential interactions ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. , Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. […]
Use in specific groups
• In the presence of mild to moderate renal or hepatic impairment, adjustment of dosing is not required for treatment of gout flare, prophylaxis of gout flare and FMF, but patients should be monitored closely ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ). • In patients with severe renal impairment for prophylaxis of gout flares, the starting dose should be 0.3 mg/day for gout flares, no dose adjustment is required, but a treatment course should be repeated no more than once every two weeks. In FMF patients, start with 0.3 mg/day, and any increase in dose should be done with close monitoring ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ). • In patients with severe hepatic impairment, a dose reduction may be needed in prophylaxis of gout flares and FMF patients; while a dose reduction may not be needed in gout flares, a treatment course should be repeated no more than once every two weeks ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. , Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ). • For patients undergoing dialysis, the total recommended dose for prophylaxis of gout flares should be 0.3 mg given twice a week with close monitoring. For treatment of gout flares, the total recommended dose should be reduced to 0.6 mg (one tablet) x 1 dose and the treatment course should not be repeated more than once every two weeks. For FMF patients, the starting dose should be 0.3 mg/day and dosing can be increased with close monitoring ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ). • Females and Males of Reproductive Potential: Advise males that colchicine tablets may transiently impair fertility ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ). • Geriatric Use: The recommended dose of colchicine should be based on renal function ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ). 8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Available data from published literature on colchicine use in pregnancy over several decades have not identified any drug associated risks for major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes (see Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ). Colchicine crosses the human placenta. […]
If too much is taken
The exact dose of colchicine that produces significant toxicity is unknown. Fatalities have occurred after ingestion of a dose as low as 7 mg over a four day period, while other patients have survived after ingesting more than 60 mg. A review of 150 patients who overdosed on colchicine found that those who ingested less than 0.5 mg/kg survived and tended to have milder toxicities such as gastrointestinal symptoms, whereas those who took 0.5 to 0.8 mg/kg had more severe reactions such as myelosuppression. There was 100% mortality in those who ingested more than 0.8 mg/kg. The first stage of acute colchicine toxicity typically begins within 24 hours of ingestion and includes gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and significant fluid loss, leading to volume depletion. Peripheral leukocytosis may also be seen. Life-threatening complications occur during the second stage, which occurs 24 to 72 hours after drug administration, attributed to multiorgan failure and its consequences. Death is usually a result of respiratory depression and cardiovascular collapse. If the patient survives, recovery of multiorgan injury may be accompanied by rebound leukocytosis and alopecia starting about one week after the initial ingestion. Treatment of colchicine poisoning should begin with gastric lavage and measures to prevent shock. Otherwise, treatment is symptomatic and supportive. No specific antidote is known. Colchicine is not effectively removed by dialysis [see Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ] .
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This page is built from the openFDA record of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approved labelling for this product, effective 1 July 2025. Label text has been shortened and reformatted for readability; safety wording has not been altered in meaning. FDA labelling describes products approved in the United States — brand names, strengths, formulations and approved uses may differ in your country. Always read the leaflet that comes with your own pack. PocketsInfo is not affiliated with, and is not endorsed by, the FDA. Retrieved 2026-07-30.