How and when to take colchicine

Follow your doctor's instructions about how many tablets to take, and how many times a day.

It's important to stick to your prescribed dose. This is because there is only a small difference between a correct dose and an overdose.

Dosage and strength

Colchicine comes as 500 microgram tablets. Your dose will depend on what you are taking it for.

If you have kidney or liver disease, your doctor may prescribe a lower dose. You will also have regular blood and urine tests.

For gout

If you’re having a gout attack

The usual dose to treat a gout attack is 1 tablet (500 micrograms), taken 2 to 4 times a day until the symptoms get better. You must not take more than 12 tablets (6mg) during a course of treatment.

After completing your course of treatment, you cannot start another course for at least 3 days.

To prevent another gout attack

If you've had gout, your doctor may prescribe a medicine such as allopurinol to lower the levels of uric acid in your body. Uric acid forms crystals around the joint and make it painful.

Your doctor may also prescribe colchicine to help prevent another attack while the uric acid levels are being reduced.

If you're taking colchicine to prevent gout, the usual dose is 1 tablet (500 micrograms) taken twice a day.

Your doctor will tell you how long to take it for.

For familial Mediterranean fever (FMF)

Doses can vary between 1 and 4 tablets (500 micrograms to 2mg), taken once a day.

How to take it

Swallow your tablets whole, with a drink of water.

How long to take it for

If you have gout, you'll usually take colchicine for just a few days. Your doctor will tell you how long to take it for.

For familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), your doctor will usually recommend taking this medicine long-term.

If you forget to take it

If you forget to take your dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for your next dose. If this happens, skip the missed dose, and take the next one at the usual time.

Never have 2 doses at the same time. Never have an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one.

If you forget doses often, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember your medicines.

If you take too much

Taking more than your prescribed dose of colchicine tablets can be very dangerous. It could be fatal.

Symptoms of taking too much colchicine can include:

• feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting)
• a stomach ache
• diarrhoea containing blood
• signs of low blood pressure, such as feeling dizzy or light-headed

If you go to A&E, do not drive yourself. Get someone else to drive you or call for an ambulance.

Take your medicine packet or leaflet inside, plus any remaining medicine with you.