Take colchicine 0.6 mg exactly as your doctor prescribed, usually one tablet by mouth with water, with or without food
Colchicine 0.6 mg tablets work best when you follow the exact dose and timing your doctor ordered. The tablet goes in your mouth whole with a glass of water — do not crush, chew, or split it. You can take it with food or on an empty stomach, though food may reduce stomach upset if that becomes a problem for you.
The most common dose for gout flare-ups is one tablet at the first sign of pain, then a second tablet one hour later. For ongoing gout prevention, many people take one tablet once or twice daily. Your doctor may adjust this based on your kidney function, other medications, or how your body responds. Never change your dose without calling your doctor first.
Key Takeaways
- Swallow the tablet whole with water; do not crush, chew, or split it.
- Take colchicine at the exact times and amounts your doctor prescribed, as the dose depends on why you are taking it and your kidney health.
- Colchicine works best for gout flare-ups when you start it within 24 hours of the first pain, so keep your tablets where you can reach them quickly.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications you take, because colchicine interacts with many common drugs and can cause serious side effects.
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day while taking colchicine, and report diarrhea, muscle weakness, or numbness to your doctor right away.
Timing and frequency depend on why you are taking colchicine
Colchicine is used for two different purposes, and the dose and timing are different for each. If your doctor prescribed it for an acute gout attack, you will take a higher dose over a short period — usually one tablet right away, then another tablet one hour later. After that, do not take any more colchicine for at least 12 hours. This short, intense course stops the inflammation that causes the sharp pain.
If your doctor prescribed colchicine to prevent gout attacks from happening in the first place, you will take a much lower dose every day or every other day, usually one tablet once daily. This preventive dose is smaller and you take it for weeks or months. Your doctor will tell you which type of dose you need and for how long.
Start taking colchicine as soon as you notice gout pain — the sooner you take it, the better it works. If you wait more than 24 hours after pain starts, colchicine may not help that particular flare-up.
Store tablets at room temperature away from moisture and heat
Keep your colchicine 0.6 mg tablets in their original bottle with the label attached so you always know what you are taking. Store them at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit if possible, though they can tolerate brief exposure to temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees. Do not store them in the bathroom medicine cabinet, because the humidity from showers can damage the tablets.
Keep colchicine in a cool, dry place like a bedroom nightstand or kitchen cupboard away from direct sunlight. If you travel, store the tablets in a small container in your bag or purse, but keep them out of hot cars. Never leave colchicine in a hot vehicle or near a heat source like a radiator or stove.
Keep the tablets out of reach of children and pets. If someone swallows colchicine by accident, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 right away.
Tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you take
Colchicine interacts with many common medications, and some combinations can be dangerous. Before you start taking colchicine, give your doctor a complete list of every prescription drug, over-the-counter medication, vitamin, and supplement you take — including aspirin, ibuprofen, and herbal products. This includes drugs for heart problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, infections, and cholesterol.
Certain antibiotics, antifungal medications, and heart drugs can raise colchicine levels in your blood to unsafe amounts. Some blood pressure medications and pain relievers can make colchicine side effects worse. Your doctor may need to lower your colchicine dose, choose a different medication, or space out when you take each drug.
If you start a new medication while taking colchicine, tell that doctor you are already on colchicine. Do not stop taking colchicine on your own to avoid an interaction — call your prescribing doctor first to discuss what to do.
Recognize side effects and know when to contact your doctor
Mild side effects from colchicine are common and often go away on their own. You may have diarrhea, nausea, stomach cramps, or loss of appetite, especially when you first start taking it or during the first few hours of a high-dose flare-up treatment. Taking the tablet with food can reduce stomach upset. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated if you have diarrhea.
Serious side effects are rare but need when ready attention. Stop taking colchicine and call your doctor right away if you notice muscle weakness, numbness or tingling in your hands or feet, severe diarrhea or vomiting, unusual bruising or bleeding, pale skin, or signs of infection like fever or chills. These can be signs that colchicine is building up to unsafe levels in your body.
Some people taking colchicine long-term develop muscle pain or weakness over weeks or months. If you notice new muscle problems, tell your doctor — they may need to lower your dose or stop the medication.
What to do if you miss a dose or take too much
If you are taking colchicine to prevent gout attacks and you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember — unless it is almost time for your next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take your next one at the regular time. Never take two tablets to make up for a missed dose.
If you are taking colchicine for an acute gout flare-up and you miss the second dose, do not take it late. Just wait until your next scheduled dose. The timing of those two doses matters for safety, so do not try to catch up.
If you think you have taken too much colchicine, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or go to the emergency room right away. Bring the bottle with you so they know exactly how much you took. Overdose can cause severe diarrhea, vomiting, muscle weakness, and organ damage.
Kidney function affects how much colchicine you can safely take
Your kidneys filter colchicine out of your body, so if your kidneys do not work well, colchicine can build up to dangerous levels. Before you start taking colchicine, your doctor will check your kidney function with a blood test. If your kidneys are weak, your doctor may lower your dose or choose a different medication instead.
Tell your doctor if you have ever been told you have kidney disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, or liver disease — all of these can affect how your body handles colchicine. If you are older than 70 or weigh less than 110 pounds, your doctor may also adjust your dose.
If you are taking colchicine long-term and your doctor orders blood work, ask whether they are checking your kidney function. If your kidneys get weaker over time, your dose may need to change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take colchicine with food?
Yes, you can take colchicine with or without food. If the tablet upsets your stomach, taking it with a meal or snack may help. Food does not stop colchicine from working, though it may slow down how fast your body absorbs it.
What if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding before taking colchicine. Colchicine may harm a developing baby, and it passes into breast milk. Your doctor will decide whether the benefit outweighs the risk in your situation.
Can I drink alcohol while taking colchicine?
Alcohol can increase your risk of diarrhea and stomach upset when you take colchicine. It may also trigger gout attacks in some people. Ask your doctor whether it is safe for you to drink alcohol while on colchicine.
How long does it take colchicine to work?
For a gout flare-up, colchicine usually starts reducing pain within 12 to 24 hours if you take it early. For preventing future attacks, it takes several days or weeks of daily doses before you notice fewer flare-ups. Do not stop taking it early thinking it is not working.
Can I cut or split a colchicine 0.6 mg tablet?
No, swallow the tablet whole. Do not crush, chew, or split it, because that changes how fast your body absorbs the drug and can make side effects worse or reduce how well it works.