Colchicine will probably stop your gout attack but NSAIDs are betterIMMEDIATE GOUT TREATMENT Colchicine for gout has been a remedy for over 2,000 years, although it's only been available in tablet form since 1936. It is derived from the autumn crocus bulb, which someone, somewhere, all those years ago, discovered was a useful gout medicine. Colchicine for gout works by stopping inflammation because it halts neutrophils from entering the inflamed area. Colchicine does not affect uric acid levels or dissolve the MSU gout crystals. Because of its side effects, and because it doesn’t work as fast as NSAID’s (including Indomethacin), it is not a first choice remedy. It is only taken when NSAIDs don’t work or are inappropriate for a person’s medical condition. It doesn’t work for everyone but it has a good gout pain reduction success rate (about 75%) within 12-24 hours of taking it and inflammation subsides within two days. It should be taken with 12 hours of a gout attack if it is to work most effectively. Dosage It is taken orally as a tablet. Most likely 1mg initially followed by 0.5 mg three times daily, or more often. People with kidney, liver and bone marrow disorders should not take it. Also people who have a low white blood cell count should not take it. This usually makes it too risky for the elderly. Possible side effects include stomach cramps, vomiting, nausea and diarrhea. Diarrhea is very likely in a majority of people who take it. If this happens, inform your doctor quickly. Other drugs may increase the side effects. It is contraindicated with some prescription drugs. An overdose is dangerous and can be fatal. Colchicine has another role in gout treatment. It may be prescribed in low dosage, and for limited use, as an advance preventative. That is, it may be prescribed before starting a course of long term treatment with for example allopurinol or probenecid. The reason is that long term gout treatments can trigger gout attacks. So the idea is that Colchicine halts an attack, whilst the other drug works to reduce uric acid levels. A new gout drug under development called arcalyst, with possibly fewer side effect than colchicine, may also be used in this role in the future. Read more about
arcalyst here.
|