API

Colchicine (0.5mg)

Drug classification

Antigout agents (alkaloid, microtubule inhibitor).

Dosage form

Tablet

API strength per dosage

0.5 mg colchicine per tablet

Dose

Adults: Acute gout—1 mg initially, then 0.5 mg after 1 hour (maximum 1.5 mg/day); prophylaxis—0.5 mg 1–2 times daily. Pediatrics: Not routinely recommended. Renal/hepatic impairment: Reduce dose or avoid; consult specialist. Elderly: Use lowest effective dose. Adjust for drug interactions and tolerability.

Mechanism of action

Binds to β-tubulin, inhibiting microtubule polymerization, thereby disrupting neutrophil chemotaxis, degranulation, and phagocytosis; suppresses NLRP3 inflammasome activation, reducing interleukin-1β (IL-1β) production and subsequent inflammatory response in gout.

Indications

Treatment of Gout

Side effects

Nausea Vomiting Abdominal pain Diarrhea

Pregnancy category

Category C

Precautions

Renal impairment, hepatic impairment, elderly patients, gastrointestinal disorders, blood dyscrasias, concurrent use with CYP3A4 or P-gp inhibitors, pregnancy, breastfeeding, pre-existing cardiac disease, dose adjustment in severe illness, avoid in severe renal or hepatic dysfunction, monitor for toxicity, caution with other myelosuppressive drugs.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to colchicine, severe renal impairment, severe hepatic impairment, concomitant use with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors, concomitant use with P-glycoprotein inhibitors, blood dyscrasias, pregnancy, breastfeeding.