All medications
Gout medicines
Colchicine
Brand names: Colcrys, Mitigare, Gloperba (liquid)
An anti-inflammatory used to treat and prevent gout flares and several other inflammatory conditions.
Video lesson
Animated explainer
What it’s used for
Gout and pseudogout flares, flare prevention when starting urate-lowering therapy, pericarditis, Behçet’s disease and familial Mediterranean fever.
How it works
It disrupts the internal scaffolding white blood cells use to move and respond, so they don’t pile into crystal-filled joints.
How it’s taken
Tablets taken at the first sign of a flare, then once or twice a day for prevention.
Side effects
Diarrhea and nausea are most common. At high doses or with interactions, muscle or nerve problems and low blood counts can occur.
Monitoring
Kidney and liver function guide the dose. Check interactions with clarithromycin, some antifungals, some heart and cholesterol medicines.
Good to know
Lower doses work as well as older high-dose regimens, with fewer side effects.
At a glance
Class
Gout medicines
Brand names
Colcrys, Mitigare, Gloperba (liquid)
Reviewed by Farhan Tahir, MD, FACR
Questions about your own care?
Book an in-person or telehealth consultation with Dr. Tahir.
For education only. Don’t start, stop or change a medicine without talking to your care team.