Description:

Colchicine 500 microgram tablets  are an oral anti-inflammatory and antigout medication used primarily for the treatment and prevention of acute gout attacks and for prophylaxis of gout flares (especially when initiating urate-lowering therapy such as allopurinol or febuxostat). It is also licensed in the UK for the prevention of attacks in familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) and occasionally used off-label for other inflammatory conditions (e.g., pericarditis, Behçet’s disease). Colchicine works by inhibiting microtubule polymerization, which reduces neutrophil migration and inflammation in joints. In the UK, it is a prescription-only medicine with a narrow therapeutic index and high risk of toxicity if overdosed.

Prescription: Prescription-only medicine (POM) in the UK. Requires a valid prescription from a doctor (typically a rheumatologist, GP, or specialist). It is not available over-the-counter (OTC) due to serious toxicity risks (especially overdose) and the need for careful dosing and monitoring.

Therapeutic Category:

Antigout / Anti-inflammatory Agent (Microtubule inhibitor).

Active Ingredients/Composition: Each tablet contains:

• Active ingredient: Colchicine – 500 micrograms (0.5 mg). Other ingredients (excipients, typical UK generic): Lactose monohydrate, maize starch, povidone, magnesium stearate, sodium starch glycolate, microcrystalline cellulose, and film-coating agents (hypromellose, titanium dioxide, macrogol). Tablets are usually round, white/off-white, film-coated or uncoated, and may be scored.

Vitamins: None.

Minerals: None.

Variant:

• Colchicine 500 microgram tablets (standard UK strength; common pack sizes: 28, 56, or 100 tablets). Related variants: Colchicine 250 microgram tablets (less common in UK; used for lower dosing in FMF), colchicine oral solution (rare), or combination products (not standard in UK). The 500 µg tablet is the primary licensed strength.

Consume Type:

Oral – Film-coated or uncoated tablet (swallow whole with water; do not crush or chew).

Directions/Usage: Take exactly as prescribed (dosing is indication-specific and must be individualized).

• Acute gout attack (treatment): 1 mg (2 × 500 µg tablets) at onset, followed by 500 µg after 1 hour. Do not exceed 1.5 mg (3 tablets) in the first 24 hours. No further doses for at least 3 days.
• Gout flare prophylaxis (when starting urate-lowering therapy): 500 µg once or twice daily (usually for 6 months).
• Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF): 1–2 mg once daily (often 500 µg twice daily).
• Take with or after food to reduce GI upset.
• Do not exceed prescribed dose or frequency (narrow therapeutic index).
• Regular monitoring of blood counts, renal/liver function required in long-term use.

Common Side Effects: Common:

• Gastrointestinal: Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain (dose-limiting; occurs in most patients at full treatment doses).
• Fatigue, weakness. Less common: Myopathy (muscle pain/weakness), neuropathy, bone marrow suppression (leukopenia, thrombocytopenia – with long-term use), alopecia (hair loss), rash. Rare/serious (seek immediate help): Severe diarrhoea/dehydration, rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown), agranulocytosis, severe allergic reactions, or colchicine toxicity/overdose (multi-organ failure – potentially fatal).

Package Type:

Blister packs (commonly 28 tablets; 2×14 or 4×7 foil blisters in carton with patient information leaflet and overdose warning card).

Storage Advice: Store at room temperature (below 25°C) in original packaging, protected from light and moisture. Keep tightly closed. Out of reach of children (high toxicity risk in overdose).

Safety Advice:

• Narrow therapeutic index – overdose can be fatal (even small excess doses cause severe diarrhoea, dehydration, multi-organ failure).
• Contraindicated in hypersensitivity to colchicine, severe renal/hepatic impairment, or concomitant use of strong P-gp or CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., clarithromycin, ketoconazole, ritonavir – increases toxicity).
• Caution in elderly, renal/hepatic impairment (dose reduction required), or concurrent use of statins, fibrates, ciclosporin (increased myopathy risk).
• Do not use for gout prophylaxis at full treatment doses (risk of toxicity).
• Monitor for gastrointestinal toxicity (dose-limiting) and blood counts (long-term use).
• Report immediately: severe diarrhoea, muscle pain/weakness, unusual bleeding/bruising, numbness/tingling, or signs of infection.
• Keep locked/out of reach of children (overdose risk – even 1–2 mg can be toxic in children).

Product Substitutes: Similar colchicine 500 microgram tablets in the UK/Ghana include:

• Generic colchicine 500 µg tablets (various manufacturers).
• Colchicine 500 micrograms (other brands like Colchicine BP).
• No direct branded equivalent (original brand discontinued in many markets; generics dominate). Alternatives:
  • For acute gout: NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, indometacin), corticosteroids (prednisolone), or IL-1 inhibitors (anakinra – specialist use).
  • For prophylaxis: Low-dose colchicine (500 µg once daily) or allopurinol/febuxostat (urate-lowering). Consult rheumatologist or GP for alternatives.

Manufacturer/Marketer:

AMDIPHARM or other licensed generic manufacturers (in UK, colchicine 500 µg tablets are produced by multiple generic companies; AMDIPHARM is a common supplier of niche generics). Marketed/distributed in Ghana by local importers/pharmacies (widely stocked as imported generic).

Country of Origin:

United Kingdom