Colchicine
- TRADE NAMES: ColBenemid; Colchiquim; Colcrys; Colgout; Goutnil; Kolkicin; Konicine
- INDICATIONS: Gouty arthritis (in adults), gout, familial Mediterranean fever
- CLASS: Alkaloid, Anti-inflammatory, Covid-19 putative drug
- HALF-LIFE: 27–31 hours (following multiple doses)
Amiodarone, Aprepitant, Atazanavir, Atorvastatin, Azithromycin, Boceprevir, Clarithromycin, Cobicistat/Elvitegravir/Emtricitabine/Tenofovir Alafenamide, Cobicistat/Elvitegravir/Emtricitabine/Tenofovir Disoproxil, Conivaptan, Cyanocobalamin, Cyclosporine, Darunavir, Dasatinib, Delavirdine, Digoxin, Diltiazem, Efavirenz, Erythromycin, Fenofibrate, Fibrates, Fluvastatin, Gemfibrozil, Grapefruit Juice, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, Indinavir, Itraconazole, Ketoconazole, Lapatinib, Lopinavir, Ombitasvir/Paritaprevir/Ritonavir, P-glycoprotein inhibitors or inducers, Pravastatin, Protease inhibitors, Ritonavir, Rosuvastatin, Saxagliptin, Simvastatin, Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors, Telithromycin, Troleandomycin, Verapamil, Voriconazole
PREGNANCY CATEGORY: C
See adverse reactions attributed to class:
Contra-indicated in patients with renal or hepatic impairment where P-glycoprotein or strong CYP3A4 inhibitors are also prescribed.
Pruritus (itching) <1%
(1957): Hollander L, Arch Dermatol 75, 872
(1957): Ott H+, Dtsch Med Wochenschr (German) 82, 1163
Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome
(1993): Khuong MA+, Dermatology 186, 153
(1967): Halprin KM, JAMA 202, 137
Toxic epidermal necrolysis (Lyell's syndrome)
(2004): Arroyo MP+, Br J Dermatol 150(3), 581
(1994): Alfandari S+, Infection 22, 365
(1990): Roujeau JC+, Arch Dermatol 126, 37
Vasculitis (angiitis) / cutaneous vasculitis (angiitis)
(1993): Barash J+, Isr J Med Sci 29, 310
(1964): Sinaly NP, Ann Intern Med 60, 470
Alopecia / hair loss <10%
(2004): Rollot F+, Ann Pharmacother 38(12), 2074 (with erythromycin, clarithromycin)
(2002): Guven AG+, Pediatrics 109(5), 971
(1980): Harms M, Hautarzt (German) 31, 161
(1977): Naidus RM+, Arch Intern Med 137, 394
(1970): Wallace S+, Am J Med 48, 443
(1967): Spanopoulos GJ, Practitioner 198, 426
Fever (pyrexia)
(2004): Rollot F+, Ann Pharmacother 38(12), 2074 (with erythromycin, clarithromycin)
Neurotoxicity
(2015): Herscovici T+, Breastfeed Med 10(2), 92
(in breasted infants)
(2015): Su YC+, Drug Saf Case Rep 2(1), 16 [REVIEW] (with fluconazole)
(2008): van der Velden W+, Neth J Med 66(5), 204 (with clarithromycin)
Hypertransaminasemia (transaminitis) / elevated transaminases
(2022): Oh J+, Ann Dermatol 34(1), 22-274%
(2021): Welzel T+, Front Pediatr Nov, eCollection4–7% (mild)
Abdominal pain <20%
(2021): Welzel T+, Front Pediatr Nov, eCollection19–22% (mild)
(2014): Alabed S+, Cochrane Database Syst Rev 8, CD010652 [REVIEW]
(2004): Rollot F+, Ann Pharmacother 38(12), 2074 (with erythromycin, clarithromycin)
Diarrhea 23%
(2021): Mehta KG+, RMD Open 7(3), e001746 [REVIEW]
(2021): Welzel T+, Front Pediatr Nov, eCollection11–19% (mild)
(2021): Xiang Z+, Intern Emerg Med Jan, Online ahead of print [REVIEW]
(2019): Goldberg O+, Semin Arthritis Rheum May, Epub ahead of print23–24%
(2019): Tardif JC+, N Engl J Med Nov, Epub ahead of print10%
(2017): Schlesinger N, Expert Opin Drug Saf 16(4), 429 [REVIEW]
(2014): Alabed S+, Cochrane Database Syst Rev 8, CD010652 [REVIEW]
(2014): van Echteld I+, Cochrane Database Syst Rev 8, CD006190 [REVIEW]
(2014): Wang Y+, Int J Med Sci 11(9), 88024%
(2012): Padeh S+, J Pediatr 161(6), 1142
(2010): Terkeltaub RA+, Arthritis Rheum 62 (4), 1060
Gastrointestinal adverse reaction
(2022): Oh J+, Ann Dermatol 34(1), 22-2717%
(2021): Andreis A+, Intern Emerg Med Mar, Online ahead of print [REVIEW] (dose-related)
(2021): Andreis A+, Eur J Prev Cardiol Mar, Online ahead of print [REVIEW] (dose-related)
(2021): Ullah W+, Am J Cardiovasc Drugs Jun, Online ahead of print [REVIEW]
(2020): Ullah W+, Cardiovasc Revasc Med Jun, Online ahead of print [REVIEW]
Gastrointestinal disorder / discomfort
(2014): Panarelli NC, Semin Diagn Pathol 31(2), 165 [REVIEW]
(2013): Nidorf SM+, J Am Coll Cardiol 61(4), 404
Hepatotoxicity / liver injury / acute liver injury / drug-induced liver injury (DILI)
(2014): De Petris G+, Int J Surg Pathol 22(2), 120 [REVIEW]
(2014): Panarelli NC, Semin Diagn Pathol 31(2), 165 [REVIEW]
(2012): Todd BA+, Pharmacotherapy 32(11), 974
Nausea <20%
(2017): Schlesinger N, Expert Opin Drug Saf 16(4), 429 [REVIEW]
(2014): van Echteld I+, Cochrane Database Syst Rev 8, CD006190 [REVIEW]
(2014): Wang Y+, Int J Med Sci 11(9), 8805%
Vomiting <20%
(2017): Schlesinger N, Expert Opin Drug Saf 16(4), 429 [REVIEW]
(2014): van Echteld I+, Cochrane Database Syst Rev 8, CD006190 [REVIEW]
(2014): Wang Y+, Int J Med Sci 11(9), 8801%
(2010): Terkeltaub RA+, Arthritis Rheum 62 (4), 1060
Leukocytopenia (leukopenia) / leukocytes decreased
(2021): Welzel T+, Front Pediatr Nov, eCollection7% (mild)
(2012): Beggs AE+, Am J Health Syst Pharm 69(24), 2147 (long-term administration)
Myalgia/Myositis/Myopathy/Myotoxicity (see also statin-induced necrotizing autoimmune myopathy)
(2021): Andreis A+, Eur J Prev Cardiol Mar, Online ahead of print [REVIEW]
(2021): DU YJ+, Beijing Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban (Chinese) 53(6), 1188-1190 (1 case / male)
(2017): Guemara R+, Rev Med Suisse (French) 13(562), 1013
(2017): Siriangkhawut M+, Saudi Pharm J 25(6), 823 (with simvastatin)
(2012): Ferrie B+, Therapie 67(5), 482 (severe)
(2012): Oh DH+, Med J Aust 197(6), 332 (with simvastatin)
(2009): Lonesky TA+, J Rheumatol 36(11), 2617
(2007): Altman A+, Clin Rheumatol 26 (12), 2197
(2007): Justiniano M+, J Clin Rheumatol 13 (5), 266
(2005): Alayli G+, Ann Pharmacother 39(7-8), 1358 (with pravastatin)
(2005): Sugie M+, No To Shinkei 57(9), 785 [REVIEW] (with bezafibrate)
(2002): Atmaca H+, Ann Pharmacother 36(11), 1719 (with gemfibrozil)
(2002): Ayllon-Munoz JA+, Rev Neurol 35(2), 195
(2002): Caglar K+, Nephron 92(4), 922
(2002): Fernandez C+, Acta Neuropathol (Berlin) 103(2), 100
(2002): Guven AG+, Pediatrics 109(5), 971
(2002): Hsu WC+, Clin Neuropharmacol 25(5), 266 (with simvastatin)
(1999): Gruberg L+, Transplant Proc 31, 2157
(1998): Duarte J+, Muscle Nerve 21, 550
(1997): Ducloux D+, Nephrol Dial Transplant 12, 2389
(1997): Sinsawaiwong S+, J Med Assoc Thai 80, 667
(1992): Himmelmann F+, Acta Neuropathologica 83, 440
Rhabdomyolysis
(2021): Abudalou M+, BMJ Case Rep 14(7), e241977 [REVIEW] (1 case / male)
(2019): Fernández-Cuadros ME+, Clin Med Insights Arthritis Musculoskelet Disord Jun, eCollection (1 case / male)
(2017): Schlesinger N, Expert Opin Drug Saf 16(4), 429 [REVIEW]
(2015): Cohen O+, Rheumatol Int 35(11), 1937 (with clarithromycin)
(2013): Kim JB+, J Clin Rheumatol 19(2), 108 (with clarithromycin)
(2009): McKinnell J+, J Clin Rheumatol 15 (6), 303 (with clarithromycin)
(2007): Altman A+, Clin Rheumatol 26 (12), 2197
(2007): Justiniano M+, J Clin Rheumatol 13 (5), 266 (with simvastatin)
(2006): Tufan A+, Ann Pharmacother 40(7-8), 1466 (with atorvastatin)
(2006): Varughese GI+, Nephrology (Carlton) 11(5), 481
(2005): Atasoyu EM+, Ann Pharmacother, 1368 (with fluvastatin)
(2004): Baker SK+, Muscle Nerve 30(6), 799 (with simvastatin)
(2003): Phanish MK+, Am J Med 114(2), 166
(2003): Vasudevan AR+, Am J Med 115(3), 249
(2002): Atmaca H+, Ann Pharmacother 36(11), 1719 (with gemfibrozil)
(2002): Boomershine KH, Ann Pharmacother 36(5), 824
(2001): Chattopadhyay I+, Postgrad Med J 77(905), 191
(1998): Rosset L+, Schweiz Med Wochenschr 128(49), 1953
(1997): Dawson TM+, J Rheumatol 24(10), 2045
(1992): Stefanidis I+, Dtsch Med Wochenschr 117(33), 1237
Nephrotoxicity / kidney injury / acute kidney injury (AKI) / drug-induced kidney injury
(2005): Krysiak R+, Pol Arch Med Wewn 114(3), 882
Adverse effects
(2017): Papageorgiou N+, Cardiovasc Ther 35(1), 10 [REVIEW]
(2015): Raval J+, Heart Lung Circ 24(7), 660 [REVIEW]
(2014): Eun J+, Am J Health Syst Pharm 71(15), 1277 [REVIEW] (gastrointestinal)
(2014): Imazio M+, JAMA 312(10), 101620% (gastrointestinal)
(2014): Stamp LK, Curr Opin Rheumatol 26(2), 162 [REVIEW]
(2014): van Echteld I+, Cochrane Database Syst Rev 8, CD006190 [REVIEW]
Death
(2006): Huynh-Do U, Ther Umsch 63(12), 783
(2002): Maxwell MJ+, Emerg Med J 19(3), 265 (overdose)
(2002): Sannohe S+, J Forensic Sci 47(6), 1391 (overdose)
Adverse reactions attributed to entire drug class Covid-19 putative drug
Cutaneous adverse reaction (includes severe cutaneous adverse drug reaction (SCAR))
(2020): Tursen U+, Dermatol Ther May, Epub ahead of print [REVIEW]
Cardiovascular adverse effect
(2020): Carpenter A+, Front Cardiovasc Med 7, 85 [REVIEW]
(2020): Giudicessi JR+, Mayo Clin Proc May, Online ahead of print [REVIEW]
(2020): Naksuk N+, Eur Heart J Acute Cardiovasc Care May, Epub ahead of print [REVIEW]
(2020): Sarayani A+, Res Social Adm Pharm Apr, Epub ahead of print [REVIEW]
(2020): Zhang D+, Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi (Chinese) 45(10), 2275-2286 [REVIEW]
Neuropsychiatric / neuropsychological adverse effect
(2021): Borah P+, Front Mol Biosci 8, 627723
(2020): García CAC+, Gen Hosp Psychiatry Jun, Online ahead of print [REVIEW]
Gastrointestinal disorder / discomfort
(2020): Sun J+, Clin Pharmacol Ther Apr, Epub ahead of print23%
Hepatic (liver) disorder / hepatobiliary disorder / hepatic (liver) dysfunction
(2020): Sun J+, Clin Pharmacol Ther Apr, Epub ahead of print14%
Thrombocytopenia
(2020): Nham E+, Infect Chemother Apr, Epub ahead of print
Adverse effects
(2022): Chiu MN+, Eur J Clin Pharmacol Jan, Online ahead of print [REVIEW]
(2021): Bérard A+, PLoS One 16(5), e0251746 [REVIEW] (in pregnancy)
(2021): Cheng Q+, Aging (Albany NY) Sep, Online ahead of print [REVIEW]
(2021): Cruciani F+, Recenti Prog Med 112(3), 195-206 [REVIEW]
(2021): Drożdżal S+, Drug Resist Updat Dec, eCollection [REVIEW]
(2021): Ommati MM+, J Biochem Mol Toxicol May, Online ahead of print [REVIEW]
(2021): Qiu R+, Medicine (Baltimore) 100(16), e25532 [REVIEW]
(2021): Wu SS+, Chin Med J (Engl) Jul, Online ahead of print [REVIEW]
(2020): Favilli A+, J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med Jun, Online ahead of print [REVIEW]
(2020): Griffiths G+, Trials 21(1), 544
(2020): Patil VM+, Life Sci May, Epub ahead of print [REVIEW]
(2020): Rhodes NJ+, medRxiv Jun, Preprint
(2020): Sun J+, Clin Pharmacol Ther Apr, Epub ahead of print38%
(2020): Svensson M, Lakartidningen (Swedish) Apr, 117
(2020): Wen CY+, Zhonghua Nei Ke Za Zhi (Chinese) May, Epub ahead of print
(2020): Zekarias A+, Drug Saf Sep, Online ahead of print [REVIEW]
(2020): Zhong H+, Pharmacol Res Apr, Epub ahead of print [REVIEW]
Page last updated 05/17/2022
Symbol key
Incidence 
- <1%
- 1-5%
- 5-10%
- 10-15%
- 15-20%
- 20-30%
- >30%
Seriousness
- Hospitalization possible
- Life threatening
- Fatal
Warnings in other populations
- Breast feeding
- Geriatric
- Pediatric
