Colchicine

Colchicine is a tablet that alters ones body response to deposited uric acid crystals in the body.

Colchicine Indications

Colchicine treats acute flares of gouty arthritis, acute gout and prevents the progression of the disease. Colchicine also decreases the attacks of gout and arthritis. Colchicine can also relieve the pain and discomfort brought about by such diseases. It can also treat the inflammation of pseudo gout; familial Mediterranean fever: amyloidosis and scleroderma; and other uncommon diseases.

In acute gout, there is the visibility of inflammatory response to the presence of uric acid crystals, which will cause severe pain, redness and swelling of the affected joint(s).

Colchicine Warnings

Always tell your doctor if you have ever had any of the following medical conditions:

* Allergic reactions to colchicines
* kidney disease/poor kidneys
* Liver diseases
* ulcer/other stomach disease
* heart disease
* blood problems
* debilitated

If some of these problems are present, you may not be able to take the medicine or perhaps you will be recommended a lower dosage by your doctor.

Colchicine is an FDA pregnancy category C drug and is known to arrest cell division. It has a possible effect on fetal growth. Pregnant women or expecting mothers should talk to their doctors before taking in Colchicine as it may be fatal and very risky for them and for their unborn.

Breast-feeding is not advisable for women who are nursing their infants. Although Colchicine is not known if it can harm babies, it is best to consult your doctor before breast feeding.

Colchicine Intake Guidelines

Colchicine should be taken as prescribed by the doctor. If instructions are unclear, ask your physician/pharmacist/nurse for clarifications.

Each dose should be taken with a full glass (8 ounces to be exact) of water and should be taken with food in the stomach as Colchicine may irritate your stomach.

Colchicine is to be taken once every hour until the pain is relieved or until the maximum amount of medicine is taken or until the nausea/vomiting/diarrhea stops. This is to be repeated every day or for several days a week to keep the attack from occurring. It is best to follow your doctor's instructions regarding the intake.

Do not take more than the prescribed dosage to treat the gout attack.

Store Colchicine at room temperature away from heat and moisture. Keep out of reach of children. It should be sealed in a light-resistant container.

Colchicine Dosage

The exact dosage for Colchicine can only be effectively determined by your doctor. Always follow your doctor's dosage instructions.

Colchicine Overdose

Symptoms of Colchicine overdose include:

* Nausea
* Vomiting
* Stomach pain
* Diarrhea
* Muscle weakness
* Burning of throat, stomach, or skin
* Difficulty in breathing
* Delirium
* Seizures.

Overdose of Colchicine can lead to death, therefore do not take more than what is prescribed by your doctor.

Colchicine Missed Dose

If you happen to miss a dose of Colchicine, take the missed dosage immediately as soon as you remember but if the next scheduled dosage is almost time, skip the missed dosage and take the next one. Do not double dose Colchicine unless otherwise advised by your doctor.

Colchicine Side Effects

Taking Colchicine may entail some side effects such as:

* Side Effects that involves the stomach and bowel (i.e. nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea). They are also the obvious signs of too much of this medicine.

There are also some serious Side Effects of Colchicine such as:

* Allergic Reaction (i.e. Difficult in breathing; Closing of your throat; Swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; Hives)
* Rashes
* Sore Throat
* Fever
* Unusual Bleeding/Bruising
* Tiredness/Weakness
* Numbness/Tingling.

Worrisome Side Effects can also occur such as:

* Damage the bone marrow causing severe anemia, which will lead to low white blood counts, which in turn will increase the risk of infections. It is advisable that patients taking Colchicine should have long-term blood count monitoring.

Colchicine can also cause hair loss and nerve irritation.

If the problems above occur, stop taking Colchicine.

Other side effects may also occur aside from the ones mentioned above, if that happens, consult your doctor immediately.
Colchicine Drug Reactions

It is advisable to tell your doctor/pharmacist if you are taking other medication other than Colchicine so that the treatment could be monitored.