WHAT COLCHICINE TABLETS ARE AND WHAT THEY ARE USED FOR
The name of your medicine is Colchicine Tablets.
The active ingredient, colchicine, in Colchicine Tablets is an anti-gout agent.
Colchicine Tablets are used to treat gout attacks. They are also used to prevent flare-ups of gout when treatment is started with other drugs such as allopurinol, probenecid and sulfinpyrazone.
BEFORE YOU TAKE COLCHICINE TABLETS
Do not take Colchicine Tablets if you are:
•Allergic to colchicine or any of the other ingredients of Colchicine Tablets
•Under 12 years of age
•Suffering from severe kidney impairment
•Suffering from any severity of kidney or liver impairment and taking the following drugs:
•Clarithromycin, erythromycin or telithromycin (used to treat infections)
•Ritonavir, atazanavir or indinavir (anti-viral drugs, used to treat HIV infection)
•Ciclosporin (used to prevent organ rejection after a transplant, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis)
Take special care with Colchicine Tablets if you:
•Are elderly (aged 65 years or older)
•Feel exhausted and worn out
•Have problems with your heart, kidneys, liver or digestive system
•Have a blood disorder.
If you have any doubts about whether you should take these tablets then discuss things more fully with your doctor or pharmacist.
Taking other medicines
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription, as taking another medicine whilst you are taking Colchicine Tablets can affect how they or the other medicine works.
In particular, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the medicines listed in the previous section, as your colchicine dose may need to be changed or the tablets stopped temporarily.
If you are taking a drug called a statin (used to lower cholesterol) you may be at greater risk of side effects. If you get muscle pain or weakness on this combination then speak to your doctor immediately.
You may need to take extra vitamin B12 if you have to take Colchicine Tablets in high doses or for a long time.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
You should not take Colchicine Tablets if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant without first discussing this with your doctor.
Colchicine passes into your breast milk. Do not take Colchicine Tablets if you are breast-feeding without talking to your doctor first.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.
Driving and using machines
Colchicine Tablets should not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Important information for patients with an intolerance to some sugars
Colchicine Tablets contain lactose. If you have been told by your doctor that you have intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking Colchicine Tablets.
HOW TO TAKE COLCHICINE TABLETS
Always take Colchicine Tablets exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. Swallow your Colchicine Tablets whole with a glass of water.
Your doctor will tell you how many Colchicine Tablets to take and for how long you should take them.
For adults for the treatment of gout:
•The usual adult dose for the treatment of gout is two Colchicine Tablets at the start of treatment followed by one Colchicine Tablet every two to three hours until relief of pain is obtained.
•If you are sick or have diarrhoea you should stop taking Colchicine Tablets and tell your doctor.
•You should not take more than 12 Colchicine Tablets as a course of treatment (your doctor will advise you).
•You should wait three days before starting another course of Colchicine Tablets.
For adults for prevention of flare-ups of gout:
•The usual adult dose for prevention of flare-ups of gout is two to three Colchicine Tablets daily.
•Your doctor will decide which dose is best for you.
For elderly patients or patients with other problems
Elderly patients or patients with other problems, especially kidney problems, will need lower or less frequent doses.
If you take more Colchicine Tablets than you should
If you take more Colchicine Tablets than you are supposed to, contact your doctor or nearest hospital accident and emergency department immediately. Take this leaflet and any Colchicine Tablets you have left with you.
If you forget to take Colchicine Tablets
If you forget to take a dose take another as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose do not take the missed dose at all. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
Like all medicines Colchicine Tablets can cause side effects, particularly when treatment is first started, although not everybody gets them.
If you experience any of the following symptoms,
stop taking Colchicine Tablets immediately and contact a doctor or the nearest hospital accident and emergency department:
•A feeling of burning or rawness in the mouth and throat making swallowing difficult
•Feeling or being sick
•Diarrhoea with blood in it
•Severe stomach pain
•Being unable to pass water
Side effects that are rare include:
•‘Pins and needles’
•Muscle cramps or weakness
•Inhibition of spermatogenesis (the inability to produce sperm).
If high doses of Colchicine Tablets are taken
High doses of Colchicine Tablets can cause diarrhoea, rashes or affect the kidneys or liver.
If any of the side effects get serious or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
HOW TO STORE COLCHICINE TABLETS
Keep this medicine out of the reach and sight of children.
•Do not take Colchicine Tablets after the expiry date which is stated on the label. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
•Do not take Colchicine Tablets if you notice that they are showing signs of deterioration such as discolouration.
•Do not store above 25°C.
•Store in the original package in order to protect from light.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.