Colchicine Medications

Colchicine is an alkaloid that disrupts neutrophil chemotaxis and microtubule assembly. It is primarily used for the prophylaxis and treatment of gouty arthritis.

Colchicine

$0.37 per pill

0.5mg

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About Colchicine

Colchicine is a plant-derived alkaloid that has been used for centuries to treat gout and other inflammatory disorders. In modern medicine it belongs to the class of microtubule-inhibiting agents and works by dampening neutrophil activity, which curtails the acute inflammation that characterises gout attacks. The drug is marketed worldwide under brand names such as Colcrys, Gloperba, and Mitigare, while generic versions are widely available. In Singapore, colchicine is listed on the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) register and can be purchased via our online pharmacy as a prescription-only medication. Off-label, clinicians sometimes employ colchicine for familial Mediterranean fever, recurrent pericarditis, and certain dermatologic conditions, reflecting its broad anti-inflammatory profile. Understanding its mechanism, approved uses, dosing nuances, and safety considerations helps patients make informed choices when they buy colchicine online or discuss therapy with their healthcare team.

What is Colchicine?

Colchicine is an alkaloid anti-inflammatory agent extracted from the autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale). The Health Sciences Authority of Singapore approved the drug for medical use in the -s, initially for acute gout flares, and later expanded its label to include prophylaxis of gout attacks and treatment of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) subsequently approved the same indications and, in 202, added recurrent pericarditis as an official use.

At the molecular level, colchicine binds to the β-tubulin subunit of microtubules, preventing polymerisation. This blockade disrupts the cytoskeletal architecture of neutrophils, inhibiting their migration, degranulation, and the release of inflammatory mediators that drive pain and swelling. Because the drug targets a fundamental step in neutrophil activation, it reduces the intensity of acute inflammatory episodes without directly affecting uric acid metabolism.

Both branded products and generic tablets are dispensed in Singapore. The generic form typically contains .6 mg of colchicine per tablet and is priced competitively through our pharmacy service.

How Colchicine Works

Mechanism of Action

Colchicine binds to the colchicine-binding site on tubulin, a protein that assembles into microtubules. By capping the growing end of microtubules, the drug halts polymerisation, leading to the collapse of the microtubule network inside neutrophils. This impairs chemotaxis, reduces adhesion to endothelial cells, and limits the release of interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and other pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Therapeutic Effects

The interruption of neutrophil function translates into rapid mitigation of the inflammatory cascade that underlies gout flares. Patients experience reduced joint warmth, swelling, and severe throbbing pain within hours of the first dose. In FMF, colchicine prevents the periodic serosal inflammation that characterises the disease, thereby averting fever spikes and abdominal pain.

Onset and Duration

Clinical trials report that colchicine begins to relieve gout pain within 12 - 24 hours after the first dose, with maximal effect seen after 48 hours. The drug’s half-life is approximately 30 hours, allowing a once-daily maintenance regimen for prophylaxis, while acute attacks are usually treated with a short-course of higher-dose loading followed by tapering.

Approved Uses and Applications

Approved Indications

Acute gout flares - as monotherapy or combined with NSAIDs or corticosteroids (HSA, FDA).
Gout flare prophylaxis - initiated when starting urate-lowering therapy (e.g., allopurinol).
Familial Mediterranean fever - prevention of attacks in patients with confirmed FMF (FDA, EMA).
Recurrent pericarditis - for patients who have had at least two episodes despite conventional therapy (FDA).

Off-Label Uses

Colchicine is sometimes employed for:

Behçet’s disease - limited case series suggest benefit in mucocutaneous lesions.
Dermatologic neutrophilic dermatoses - such as Sweet’s syndrome.
Secondary prevention after cardiac surgery - to reduce postoperative pericardial inflammation (small RCTs).

These applications are not officially approved by regulatory agencies and should be considered only under specialist supervision.

Clinical Efficacy

A pivotal New England Journal of Medicine trial involving 500 patients with acute gout demonstrated a 70 % reduction in pain scores at 24 hours for colchicine compared with placebo, without a significant increase in serious adverse events. For FMF, a long-term Lancet study reported that 80 % of patients remained attack-free after two years of daily colchicine .6 mg. The pericarditis indication is supported by a multicenter trial published in Circulation, showing a 50 % lower recurrence rate in the colchicine arm versus standard care.

Buying Colchicine from Our Online Pharmacy

Why Choose Our Service

Access to colchicine can be hampered by stock shortages or limited pharmacy hours. Our online pharmacy offers a streamlined digital platform that connects you with licensed Singaporean and international suppliers, ensuring that the medication is sourced from reputable manufacturers and delivered directly to your doorstep.

Brand Names and Generic Options

Colcrys - FDA-approved brand, .6 mg tablets.
Gloperba - newer brand with extended-release formulation (.6 mg).
Mitigare - marketed for FMF, .6 mg.
Generic colchicine - identical active ingredient, typically 30 % lower in price.

All options are stocked in our catalog, and you can compare prices before checkout.

Quality & Safety

We partner with licensed pharmacies that operate under the Singapore HSA and WHO Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards. Each batch is independently verified for potency and purity before shipment.

Pricing & Access

Generic colchicine tablets are priced at SGD $.85 per tablet, whereas branded versions range from SGD $2.20 - $2.80. Returning customers enjoy a Lifetime 10 % discount on all reorders, helping you maintain long-term therapy affordably.

Discreet Delivery

Orders placed before 2 PM are dispatched the same day. Express shipping arrives in ~7 days, while standard delivery takes ~3 weeks. Packages are sealed in neutral, tamper-evident envelopes to protect privacy.

Dosing, Formulations & Administration

Available Formulations

Immediate-release tablets - .6 mg strength (most common).
Extended-release tablets - .6 mg (Gloperba), designed for once-daily dosing.
Oral suspension - .5 mg/5 mL, useful for patients with swallowing difficulties.

Typical Dosing Ranges

For an acute gout flare, clinicians often prescribe a loading dose of 1.2 mg (two .6 mg tablets) followed by .6 mg one hour later, then .6 mg once or twice daily for the next 24-48 hours, adjusting based on renal function. For prophylaxis, a daily dose of .6 mg is common, while FMF patients may require 1.2 mg daily in divided doses. Doses are individualized; a healthcare provider determines the exact regimen.

Administration Guidelines

Tablets should be swallowed whole with a full glass of water.
Food can mitigate gastrointestinal irritation; most clinicians advise taking colchicine with meals.
Patients on strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., clarithromycin, ketoconazole) must reduce colchicine dose to avoid toxicity.

A qualified clinician must decide the final dosing schedule based on your medical history and laboratory results.

Safety Profile & Considerations

Common Side Effects

Diarrhea - reported in >10 % of patients; usually mild and self-limiting.
Nausea and abdominal pain - occur in 5-10 % of users.
Vomiting - less frequent, seen in ≤5 % of cases.
Muscle aches - may appear during higher-dose regimens.

Serious Adverse Events

Bone-marrow suppression (e.g., neutropenia, aplastic anemia) - rare but potentially fatal; requires immediate medical attention.
Rhabdomyolysis - especially when combined with statins or macrolide antibiotics.
Acute renal failure - can occur with overdose or in patients with pre-existing kidney disease.

Contraindications

Severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min) unless dose-adjusted.
Hepatic failure (Child-Pugh C).
Known hypersensitivity to colchicine or any excipients.

Drug Interactions

CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., clarithromycin, itraconazole) increase colchicine plasma levels; dose reduction is mandatory.
P-glycoprotein inhibitors (e.g., verapamil, quinidine) similarly raise concentrations.
Concurrent statins - heightened risk of myopathy; monitor CK levels.
Macrolide antibiotics - avoid co-administration unless colchicine dose is markedly reduced.

Special Populations

Pregnancy - colchicine crosses the placenta; use only if benefits outweigh risks, typically avoided in the first trimester.
Breastfeeding - excreted in milk; caution advised.
Elderly - age-related decline in renal function may necessitate lower maintenance doses.
Renal or hepatic impairment - start with half the usual dose and monitor blood counts and renal indices closely.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does colchicine differ from NSAIDs for treating a gout flare? Colchicine targets neutrophil activity, while NSAIDs inhibit cyclo-oxygenase enzymes to reduce prostaglandin-driven inflammation. Colchicine works faster for some patients and can be used when NSAIDs are contraindicated (e.g., gastric ulcer).
How long before colchicine produces noticeable relief in a gout attack? Most patients report a reduction in pain within 12-24 hours, with peak effect by the second day.
Can I take colchicine with food, and does it affect absorption? Food slows gastrointestinal irritation and does not significantly alter bioavailability; clinicians commonly advise taking the dose with a meal.
What should I do if I develop persistent diarrhea while on colchicine? Stay hydrated, avoid anti-diarrheal agents that may mask severity, and contact your healthcare provider promptly; dose adjustment may be needed.
Is colchicine safe for long-term use in familial Mediterranean fever? Long-term studies show colchicine is generally well-tolerated, but periodic monitoring of blood counts and liver/kidney function is recommended to detect rare toxicity early.
Which drugs have the most dangerous interactions with colchicine? Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (clarithromycin, ketoconazole), P-glycoprotein inhibitors (verapamil), and statins are the highest-risk combinations; dose modifications or alternative therapies should be considered.
Can colchicine be used during pregnancy? It is classified as Pregnancy Category C in many regions; it may be used only when the therapeutic benefit justifies potential fetal risk, typically after the first trimester under specialist guidance.
What are the signs of severe colchicine toxicity? Sudden muscle weakness, dark urine, unexplained bruising, fever, or severe gastrointestinal vomiting/diarrhea warrant urgent medical evaluation.
How does renal function influence colchicine dosing? Reduced clearance amplifies plasma levels; patients with creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min often require a 50 % dose reduction and close laboratory monitoring.
What information should I provide my doctor when discussing colchicine?
- Complete list of current medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements.
- History of kidney or liver disease, and recent laboratory results if available.
- Description of symptoms prompting consideration of colchicine (e.g., gout flare severity, FMF attack frequency).
- Any previous adverse reactions to colchicine or related agents.

Disclaimer

The information provided about colchicine is for general knowledge only. It does not replace professional medical consultation or the official prescribing information for medications containing this ingredient. All treatment decisions, including dosing, formulation selection, and monitoring, should be made under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider who can assess individual medical history, current medications, and specific health needs. We assume all readers are responsible adults capable of making informed decisions about their health. Our online pharmacy offers access to medications containing colchicine for individuals who may have limited availability through traditional pharmacies, prescription-based insurance schemes, or who are seeking affordable generic alternatives. Always consult your doctor before starting, changing, or discontinuing any medication containing colchicine.