Colchicine for Gout

Colchicine is a popular drug doctors like to prescribe to help patients who suffer with gout. When using colchicine for gout, patients have experienced great results.

Colchicine has been used for gout for 2000 to 6000 years, depending on who you talk to. Either way, 2000 or 6000 years, it seems to be working well for gout or we wouldn’t be talking about it right now.

So why do we use colchicine for gout?

Doctors prescribe colchicine because it works. Colchicine is not really a pain reliever, unless you suffer from gout. Colchicine is not going to help you with a headache, but it can help prevent and relieve the pain from a gout attack.

The exact mode of action is not known. I’ve read studies that claim using colchicine for gout will reduce the excess uric acid in your body from forming the tiny crystals that irritate and cause the inflammation and pain.

We do know that it helps the body deal with uric acid by reducing swelling and pain.

Colchicine has a brand name of:  Colcrys

Colchicine is produced from the seed of a plant called meadow saffron (also referred to as autumn crocus). So maybe you could consider this a natural remedy. But, colchicine is toxic to the body. It can stay in your body for a long time. Use of this drug should not be taken lightly. 

If using colchicine for gout you will probably be taking it orally, usually once or twice a day when the first signs of a gout attack appear. Most of the time a larger dose is taken first, followed an hour or so by a smaller dose.

Colchicine can be used a couple of ways. Some people will use it daily in smaller doses for long periods of time (months) and others will only use it in higher doses when they feel the pain from a gout attack coming on.

You will need to talk to your doctor about this and decide which way is best for you. If you decide to use colchicine for gout and it doesn’t relive your pain, or you have a gout attack while taking it, you should consult with your doctor before another dose is taken. 

Side Effects of using Colchicine for Gout

Some of the possible side effects when using colchicines for gout are:

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Stomach Cramps
• Skin Rash
• Liver Damage

It is reported that most people experience none of these side effects while taking colchicine for gout.

Before taking colchicine for gout let your doctor know of any existing medical condition you might have. For example:

• Kidney Disease
• Liver Disease
• if you’re pregnant
• Plan on being pregnant
• any medication you’re taking

Colchicines might be an option for people that can’t use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like indomethacin.

Colchicine might be safer for people that have heart or gastrointestinal problems. You will need to talk to your doctor about the possibilities of using colchicine for your gout.

If you want to stop a gout attack from happening you need to lower the uric acid levels in your body. There are two ways to go about this.

You can make some lifestyle changes and lower uric acid levels naturally or go with some drugs like colchicine, allopurinol, febuxostat, or probenecid.