Colchicine

Medically Reviewed by Harshi Dhingra, M.D.

Last Reviewed: Jun 21, 2022

Pros & Cons


What are the pros and cons of colchicine (Colcrys)?

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  • Colchicine can help to prevent as well as treat gout flares.
  • It needs to be taken once or twice a day. You can take the medicine with or without food.
  • The dose can be adjusted based on your response. The oral tablet is scored and is easy to split.
  • Colchicine is the first choice medication to treat attacks of familial Mediterranean fever. 

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  • While colchicine is available in a low-cost generic form, it is more expensive than other medicines used to treat pain and inflammation, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
  • Long-term use of colchicine is associated with a risk of blood problems.
  • This medication may not be safe for people with kidney or liver disease.
  • Colchicine can reduce fertility in men.