What is Colchicine and What is it Used to Treat?

Colchicine in its natural state, is a pale, yellow powder that is dissolvable in water. However, those that take it for treating gout attacks take colchicine in tablet form, which is taken orally. Colchicine is used to prevent acute gout in adults, and to relieve the pain of gout attacks when they occur, as well as FMF (Familial Mediterranean Fever), which is a hereditary painful swelling of joints.

Colchicine should be taken as a physician prescribes, but the standard dose is about twice a day. Colcrys is not a pain reliever and should not be prescribed to treat the excruciating pain caused by gout. Colchicine is categorized as an anti-gout agent that works by stopping the natural body processes that causes joint swelling in gout and FMF symptoms.

Gout is more familiar to the public because well known kings in Europe's early history, suffered from gout. It is considered to be similar to a chronic and progressive form of arthritic diseases. Gout is caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood which forms crystallized deposits in and around the joints. Chronic gout can also lead to joint deterioration, decreased kidney functions, and can cause kidney stones. Uric acid is a chemical that is formed when the body breaks down substances called purines, which are the result of many of the rich foods we eat.

In acute gout conditions, people suffer from frequent attacks of acute inflammatory arthritis where the joints become very tender and swell up. The generic prescription drug colchicine, has been used for many years, to treat gout and other joint swelling conditions. Later versions of the colchicine powder, as well as the colchicine version used in modern times.

However, colchicine was classified by the FDA and medical boards, as an unapproved class of drugs, but remained on the market for prescription use. Removing colchicine was not an option, as doctors highly approved of its results and it was relied upon by many people, therefore, the FDA encouraged drug companies to create an approved version of colchicine. As a result, Colcrys was developed and test as a prescription version of colchicine.

Gout symptoms are an "out of the blue" condition and develops suddenly, involving only one or a few joints, such as the big toe, knees, or ankle joints. Taking colchicine is pretty safe with minor side effects. This is important because gout is a long term condition, and taking the medication is relied upon by many people. Any serious allergic reactions to Colcrys is considered rare. Diarrhea, cramping, slight nausea, abdominal pain, and some vomiting are side effects which your doctor will monitor closely. As painful and debilitating as gout is, taking the Colcrys tablets (colchicine) is might be worth some of the temporary side effects that can occur.