Colchicine and Colcrys®: Uses, Dosing, Safety, and Savings

What Colchicine Is and How It Works

Colchicine is an oral anti-inflammatory used for gout flares, gout prophylaxis, and familial Mediterranean fever. The common strength in North America is colchicine 0.6 mg. Prescribers also use it off-label for recurrent pericarditis and Behçet-related ulcers. Many patients compare colchicine cost without insurance before choosing a supply. YouDrugstore is a licensed Canadian pharmacy headquartered in Manitoba; prescriptions are reviewed by licensed pharmacists before dispensing. We partner with licensed international pharmacies so you can access authentic brands and generics across a wide range at wallet-friendly prices.

This medicine reduces inflammation by blocking microtubule assembly. That limits neutrophil activation and migration into joints or serosal tissue. It also dampens inflammasome signaling. Colchicine comes as small tablets, usually 0.6 mg (some markets supply 0.5 mg). It is taken by mouth with or without food. For a gout flare, dosing is front-loaded over the first hours. For prevention, steady daily dosing is used. Colcrys 0.6 mg is a branded option; many patients use generic colchicine tablets.

Dosage and Usage

• Gout flare (adult): 1.2 mg at the first sign of flare (two 0.6 mg tablets), then 0.6 mg one hour later. Total 1.8 mg for the flare course. Do not repeat a flare course for at least 3 days; with renal impairment, wait 14 days.
• Gout prophylaxis (adult): 0.6 mg once or twice daily. Many use 0.6 mg daily; others use 0.6 mg twice daily. Typical maximum is 1.2 mg per day.
• Familial Mediterranean fever: total daily dose often 1.2–2.4 mg in 1–2 divided doses, individualized by the prescriber. Do not exceed prescribed limits.
• Pericarditis (off-label): 0.5–0.6 mg once or twice daily based on weight and tolerance. Courses are commonly 3 months for acute and 6–12 months for recurrent cases.
• How to take: Swallow tablets whole with water. Take with food if stomach upset occurs. For flares, starting within 24 hours gives the best response.
• Missed dose: Take it when remembered unless it is close to the next dose. Do not double up.
• Interaction cautions: Avoid strong CYP3A4 or P-glycoprotein inhibitors unless your prescriber adjusts dosing. Examples include clarithromycin, erythromycin, ketoconazole, itraconazole, verapamil, diltiazem, cyclosporine, certain HIV protease inhibitors, and grapefruit juice.
• Renal or hepatic impairment: Lower doses or extended intervals may be necessary. Toxicity risk is higher in these settings.

• Storage: Store at 20–25°C (68–77°F); short excursions 15–30°C (59–86°F) are acceptable. Keep tablets dry and protected from light.
• Packaging: Keep in the original, labeled, child-resistant container.
• Travel: Carry your colchicine pill supply in hand luggage. Keep it away from heat in cars or direct sun. Bring your prescription details with you.
• Household safety: Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Benefits and Savings

Colchicine helps ease gout pain and swelling, often within a day. Prophylaxis reduces the frequency of flares when starting or maintaining urate-lowering therapy. Tablets are small and simple to take, and colchicine therapy is a key option when NSAIDs or corticosteroids are unsuitable. Many patients prefer the 0.6 mg tablet for precise dose splitting.

Ordering through YouDrugstore can offer meaningful savings. Typical price reductions are 60–80% versus many US pharmacy prices. This can help if you are managing colchicine price without insurance. Multi-month supplies and occasional bulk promotions can lower the per-month cost, and you can turn on gentle reorder reminders in your account.

Looking for extra deals? See current offers on our promotions page: colchicine coupon.

Side Effects and Safety

• Diarrhea or loose stools
• Nausea or vomiting
• Stomach pain or cramping
• Loss of appetite
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Muscle aches

Serious effects are uncommon but can occur, especially with high doses, kidney or liver disease, or drug interactions. These can include low white blood cells or platelets, severe muscle injury (myopathy or rhabdomyolysis), liver or kidney injury, and severe gastrointestinal fluid loss. Stop the drug and seek urgent care for muscle weakness, dark urine, unusual bleeding, severe vomiting or diarrhea, numbness or tingling, or infection signs. Risk increases when combined with statins, cyclosporine, or strong CYP3A4/P-gp inhibitors. Use in pregnancy or while breastfeeding requires individualized medical advice.

Onset Time

During a gout flare, pain and swelling often start to improve within 24 hours after the loading doses. Maximum benefit is usually seen by 48–72 hours. For prevention of flares, protection builds over several days and is clearest over weeks, particularly when starting allopurinol or another urate-lowering drug. In pericarditis, chest discomfort may ease within days, and the chance of recurrence declines over the following weeks and months with continued therapy.

Compare With Alternatives

NSAIDs are another first-line option for acute gout. Naproxen can reduce pain and inflammation when taken at anti-inflammatory doses, provided there are no contraindications like active ulcers or certain kidney issues.

Short courses of oral corticosteroids, such as prednisone, can treat acute gout when NSAIDs and colchicine are not ideal or are insufficient. They can be used alone or with colchicine for severe attacks under prescriber guidance.

For long-term urate control, Allopurinol lowers serum uric acid and prevents new crystal formation. Colchicine tablets are often used as flare prophylaxis when urate-lowering therapy is initiated or adjusted.

Combination Therapy

• Colchicine plus an NSAID for severe acute gout flares, if not contraindicated.
• Colchicine plus a short steroid taper when NSAIDs are unsuitable.
• Colchicine for flare prevention while starting or titrating allopurinol or febuxostat.
• Use the lowest effective colchicine dose to limit gastrointestinal effects.
• If taking statins, cyclosporine, or interacting antibiotics, discuss dose changes to lower myopathy risk.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Colchicine is used for adults with gout, patients with familial Mediterranean fever, and certain patients with pericarditis. It may not be appropriate with severe renal or hepatic impairment, advanced gastrointestinal disease, or significant blood dyscrasias. Dose reductions are common in older adults. Grapefruit products and several prescription drugs can raise colchicine levels markedly.

Colchicine in CKD requires careful dosing. Lower total doses and longer intervals between flare courses reduce toxicity risk. Do not repeat high-dose flare treatments too soon. Report muscle pain or weakness promptly, especially if also taking a statin or cyclosporine.

To manage colchicine price, consider a longer-dated supply if your prescriber approves. Per-month costs often fall with larger quantities. You can set simple reorder reminders in your account so you do not run out. Patients paying without insurance can often reduce costs by selecting generics and comparing quantities on the product page.

Authoritative Sources

FDA Prescribing Information for Colcrys (colchicine)

Health Canada Drug Product Database: Colchicine

FDA Prescribing Information for Mitigare (colchicine)

Order Colchicine from YouDrugstore: add to cart, upload your prescription, and we ship with prompt, express, cold-chain handling.

This material is educational and does not replace advice from your healthcare professional. Always follow your prescriber’s directions and the patient information that comes with your medicine.