Brand Name

Colcrys {Takeda}

Generic Name

colchicine, pronounced KOL chi seen

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Drug Guide

The information contained in the following drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

What is Colcrys?

Colcrys is a medication used to treat gout in adults. The medication works by changing the way your body responds to uric acid crystals, and reduces pain and swelling. Colcrys is used to prevent flare-ups of gout but does not cure gout and is not a painkiller.

Colcrys is also approved to treat a genetic condition called Familial Mediterranean Fever in adults and children ages four and older. Colcrys may also be used for reasons not stated in this medication guide.

Key Facts About Colcrys

Colcrys is best taken at the first sign of a gout attack. The longer you wait to take Colcrys after your gout attack starts the less effective this medication may be.

You may need a second dose of Colcrys that is lower than your first dose within an hour if you continue to have gout pain after your first dose. Talk to your doctor if you feel that one dose is not helping your gout flares

Your dose of Colcrys will depend on the condition that you are taking this medication for.  The dosages of Colcrys for gout and Mediterranean fever are different.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Colcrys is in FDA pregnancy category C. If is not known if Colcrys can affect your unborn baby.  Colcrys is known to pass into breast milk. You should talk to your doctor if you are breast-feeding and prescribed this medication.

Before You Take Colcrys

If you are allergic to colchicine you should not take Colcrys.

Tell your doctor if you a history of heart disease, a stomach ulcer, intestinal bleeding or another gastrointestinal disorder before starting treatment with Colcrys.

If you have a history of liver or kidney disease, Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis you should tell your doctor before taking Colcrys.

If you take Colcrys long-term you may need to have your blood tested regularly. Take care not to miss any appointments with your doctor.

Colcrys Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• antibiotics like clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin, Pediazole) and telithromycin (Ketek)
• antidepressants like nefazodone
• antifungal medications like such as itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), miconazole (Oravig) and voriconazole (Vfend)
• blood pressure and heart medications like amiodarone (Cordarone), diltiazem (Cartia), felodipine (Plendil), nicardipine (Cardene), nifedipine (Procardia), quinidine (Quin-G) and  verapamil (Calan)
• cholesterol-lowering medications like atorvastatin (Lipitor), fenofibrate (Antara, Lipofen, TriCor), fluvastatin (Lescol), gemfibrozil (Lopid), lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol) and simvastatin (Zocor)
• conivaptan (Vaprisol)
• digoxin (Lanoxin, digitalis)
• HIV or AIDS medications like atazanavir (Reyataz), darunavir (Prezista), delavirdine (Rescriptor), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Kaletra or Norvir), saquinavir (Invirase) and  tipranavir (Aptivus)
• imatinib (Gleevec)
• isoniazid (tuberculosis medication)
• organ transplant rejection prevention medications like such as cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune), sirolimus (Rapamune) and tacrolimus (Prograf)

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Colcrys. You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

Directions for Taking Colcrys

You should take Colcrys exactly as directed by your doctor. It is important that you do not take Colcrys in larger or smaller amounts, or for longer or shorter than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label and follow any dose changes carefully if your doctor instructs you to change your dose.

Colcrys may be taken with or without food.

You should keep using Colcrys as directed, even if you feel better. Talk to your doctor if this medication is not working to prevent your gout attacks. Do not stop using Colcrys without talking to your doctor first.

Grapefruit juice and grapefruit products may interact with Colcrys and lead to potentially dangerous side effects. If you have concern about your grapefruit consumption talk to your doctor.

Colcrys needs to be stored at room temperature, and away from light, moisture and heat. Keep your bottle tightly closed when you are not using it.

If you miss a dose of Colcrys you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose do not take the missed dose in addition to your regular dose.

Colcrys Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Colcrys and seek emergency medical help immediately:

• allergic reactions such as breathing difficulties, hives, or swelling of your face, lips, throat or tongue
• bleeding or bruising easily
• fever with body aches, chills and general flu-like symptoms
• numbness or tingling feeling with pain or muscle weakness
• pale or gray look and appearance to your hands, lips or tongue
• urinating less than normal or not at all
• urine with blood in it
• vomiting and diarrhea (severe)
• weakness and exhaustion

Less serious side effects of Colcrys may include:

• diarrhea (mild)
• nausea
• stomach pain
• vomiting (mild)

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Colcrys. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

Colcrys Description and Dosing

Colcrys is available as a 0.6 mg. film-coated tablet. The tablet is purple, capsule-shaped, and debossed with AR 374 on one side and scored on the other side.

The typical dosage for adults with gout flares is 1.2 mg at the first sign of the flare, followed by 0.6 mg if needed one hour later. The maximum recommended dose of Colcrys is 1.8 mg over a 1 hour period when used to treat gout flares. Your doctor will give you instructions for taking Colcrys safely.

Adults with familial Mediterranean fever are usually given 1.2 mg to 2.4 mg daily. Consult with your doctor for the exact dose you should take if you are an adult with FMF.

The recommended dosage of Colcrys for pediatric patients ages 4 and older with FMF is based on age. Your doctor will advise you of the proper dose for your child, based on his or her age range.

You should consult your doctor for specific dosing pertaining to you. Do not attempt to alter or change your dose without your physician’s consent.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with Colcrys you should seek emergency help immediately.

Ingredients in Colcrys

Colcrys is comprised of the main ingredient colchicine. Other ingredients include carnauba wax, FD&C blue #2, FD&C red #40, hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polydextrose, polyethylene glycol, pregelatinized starch, sodium starch glycolate, titanium dioxide and triacetin.

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