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(Updated Feb. 4, 2021)
Benefits and Risks
Gout: The 2014 Cochrane review on colchicine for acute gout included two RCTs: A RCT (n=43; 22 intervention v. 21 control found that High-dose colchicine (oral 1 mg followed by 0.5 mg every 2 hours until toxicity or complete response occurred) resulted in acute gout-associated pain reduction by 50% absolute risk reduction of 34% (ARR 30% for decrease in clinical symptoms such as tenderness on palpaltion, swelling, redness, pain)compared to placebo with number needed to treat (NNT) of 3. However, all 22 patients in the intervention arm developed adverse events of nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, with number needed to harm (NNH) of 1. An RCT (n=185; 52 high-dose v. 74 low-dose intervention v. 59 control) found that Both high-dose (1.2 mg followed by 0.6 mg every hour for 6 hours, total 4.8 mg in 6 hours) and low-dose colchicine (1.2 mg followed by 0.6 mg in 1 hour then placebo every hour for 5 hours, total 1.8 mg in 6 hours) resulted in significant response in the primary outcome (pain reduction by 50% at 24 hours) compared to placebo (2 placebo capsules followed by 1 capsule every hour for 6 hours) with NNT of 5. There was no difference in benefit between the high- and low-dose arms. However, high-dose colchicine had NNH of 2 for adverse events (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), while low-dose colchicine had no additional harms compared to placebo (25.7% and 20.7%, RR 1.24, 95% CI 0.55 to 2.79).
Note: Generalizability is a concern, with the second RCT’s study population being mean age 51.5 ± 11.1 years, 95.1% male, 83% white, and no discussion of comorbidities. The Cochrane review notes no trials have examined the effect of colchicine “in populations with comorbidities or in comparison with other commonly used treatments, such as NSAIDs and glucocorticoids.”
Mechanism of Action: “(K)nown to decrease the inflammatory response to urate crystal deposition by inhibiting migration of leukocytes, to interfere with urate deposition by decreasing lactic acid production by leukocytes, to interfere with kinin formation, and to diminish phagocytosis and the subsequent anti-inflammatory response.”¹ It has a prophylactic, suppressive effect that helps reduce incidence of acute attacks, but it is neither analgesic nor uricosuric nor does it prevent progression to chronic gouty arthritis.¹
Dose in Older Adults: No dose adjustments are required based on age alone. Renal function should be calculated using the Cockcroft-Gault formula for creatinine clearance (CrCl).
Indication |
Gout, Treatment of acute flare |
Gout, Prophylaxis |
Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) |
Usual dose | 1.2 mg at first sign of flare then 0.6 mg one hour later. Maximum recommended dose is 1.8 mg over one-hour period. Wait 12 hours to resume prophylactic dose. Some experts recommend continuing with 0.6 mg for 2-3 days post acute treatment. Wait at least three days to repeat high dose treatment. | Recommended dosage is 0.6 mg once or twice daily or 1.2 mg once daily. Maximum recommended dose should not exceed 1.2 mg per day. | Recommended dosage is 1.2-2.4 mg daily. The dosage should be increased as needed and as tolerated in increments of 0.3 mg/day, to maximum recommended dose of 2.4 mg per day. If intolerable side effects develop, dose should be decreased in increments of 0.3 mg/day. The total daily dose may be administered in one to two divided doses. |
Concurrent moderate CYP3A4 inhibitorA or given within 14 days | Recommended adjusted dosage is 1.2 mg x 1 with dose repeated no sooner than three days later. | Recommended adjusted dosage is 0.3 mg twice daily (if original dose was 0.6 mg twice daily) or 0.3 mg once daily (if original dose was 0.6 mg once daily). | Adjusted maximum daily dose is 1.2 mg. The total daily dose may be administered in one to two divided doses. |
Concurrent potent CYP3A4 inhibitorB or given within 14 days | Recommended adjusted dosage is 0.6 mg x 1 then 0.3 mg one hour later. Wait at least three days to repeat treatment. | Recommended adjusted dosage is 0.3 mg once daily (if original dose was 0.6 mg twice daily) or 0.3 mg once every other day (if original dose was 0.6 mg once daily). | Adjusted maximum daily dose is 0.6 mg. The total daily dose may be administered in one to two divided doses. |
Concurrent P-glycoprotein inhibitorC |
Recommended adjusted dosage is 0.6 mg x 1 dose with dose repeated no sooner than three days later. |
Recommended adjusted dosage is 0.3 mg once daily (if original dose was 0.6 mg twice daily) or 0.3 mg once every other day (if original dose was 0.6 mg once daily). | Adjusted maximum daily dose is 0.6 mg. The total daily dose may be administered in one to two divided doses. |
CrCl 30-80 mL/min |
No dosage adjustment required but monitor closely for adverse effects. |
No dosage adjustment required but monitor closely for adverse effects. |
No dosage adjustment required but monitor closely for adverse effects. |
CrCl <30 mL/min |
No dosage adjustment required but monitor closely for adverse effects, and treatment should not be repeated more frequently than every 14 days. |
Recommended adjusted dosage is 0.3 mg once daily. |
Recommended adjusted dosage is 0.3 mg once daily. |
Hemodialysis |
Recommended adjusted dosage is 0.6 mg x 1, and treatment should not be repeated more frequently than every 14 days. |
Recommended adjusted dosage is 0.3 mg twice weekly.
|
Recommended adjusted dosage is 0.3 mg x 1. |
Mild to moderate hepatic impairment |
No dosage adjustment required but monitor closely for adverse effects. |
No dosage adjustment required but monitor closely for adverse effects. |
No dosage adjustment required but monitor closely for adverse effects.
|
Severe hepatic impairment |
Dosage adjustment should be considered though not specifically provided, and treatment should not be repeated more frequently than every 14 days. |
Dosage adjustment should be considered though not specifically provided. |
Dosage adjustment should be considered though not specifically provided.
|
moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors:¹, Amprenavir, Aprepitant, Diltiazem, Erythromycin, Fluconazole, Fosamprenavir (pro-drug of Amprenavir), Grapefruit juice, Verapamil, Voriconazole
potent CYP3A4 inhibitors:¹, Atazanavir, Clarithromycin, Darunavir/Ritonavir, Idelalisib, Indinavir, Itraconazole, Ketoconazole, Lopinavir/Ritonavir, Nefazodone, Nelfinavir, Ribociclib, Ritonavir, Saquinavir, Telithromycin, Tipranavir/Ritonavir
P-glycoprotein inhibitors:¹,² Amiodarone, Azithromycin, Clarithromycin, Cyclosporine, Digoxin, Diltiazem, Erdafitinib, Erythromycin, Felodipine, Ketoconazole, Lansoprazole, Lasmiditan, Lumacaftor and Ivacaftor, Nifedipine, Omeprazole, Paroxetine, Ranolazine, Sertraline, Quinidine, Tamoxifen, Verapamil
Note:
Dosage form: In Canada, only available as 0.6 mg tablets.
Adverse Effects
Common:¹,² Gastrointestinal – gastrointestinal disease (26% to 77%), diarrhea (23% to 77%), vomiting (17%), nausea (4% to 17%)
Less Common:¹,² Central nervous system – fatigue (1% to 4%), headache (1% to 2%);
Endocrine & metabolic – gout (4%);
Gastrointestinal – abdominal cramps, abdominal pain;
Respiratory – pharyngolaryngeal pain (2% to 3%)
Rare:¹,² Hematological – hypersensitivity reaction, leukopenia, granulocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, pancytopenia, aplastic anemia, bone marrow depression, disseminated intravascular coagulation;
Hepatobiliary – elevated AST, elevated ALT, hepatotoxicity;
Musculoskeletal – myopathy, elevated CPK, myotonia, muscle weakness, muscle pain, rhabdomyolysis;
Neurological – sensory motor neuropathy, peripheral neuritis, toxic neuromuscular disease;
Dermatological – alopecia, dermatitis, maculopapular rash, purpura, rash;
Digestive – dysgeusia, lactose intolerance
Precautions¹
Contraindications¹
Monitoring Parameters²
Discontinuation/withdrawal considerations: None.
Pharmacodynamics²
“Disrupts cytoskeletal functions by inhibiting -tubulin polymerization into microtubules, preventing activation, degranulation, and migration of neutrophils associated with mediating some gout symptoms. In familial Mediterranean fever, may interfere with intracellular assembly of the inflammasome complex present in neutrophils and monocytes that mediate activation of interleukin-1.”
Pharmacokinetics
Pharmacokinetic considerations in older adults: Although some references²,³state the mean peak plasma levels and AUC were higher in older adults versus healthy young adults, review of the source pharmacokinetic study shows renal function is likely the determining factor.
Absorption: Bioavailability ~45%, time to peak in serum 0.5-3 hours
Distribution:³ Protein binding ~39%. Substrate of P-glycoprotein/ABCB1. Highest concentrations in leukocytes, kidney, spleen, and liver; does not distribute in heart, skeletal muscle, or brain. Volume of distribution 5-8 L/kg. Plasma half life of a single 1mg dose is 4.4 hours. Half life in leukocytes is ~60 hrs.¹¹
Metabolism:³ Hepatic via CYP3A4 (major) is responsible for 16%, while glucuronidation also occurs. Three metabolites, with two primary (2-O-demethylcolchicine and 3-O-demethylcolchicine) and one minor (10-O-demethylcolchicine, a.k.a. “colchiceine”). Plasma levels of primary metabolites are <5% of parent drug. Activity of metabolites is unknown.
Elimination half-life:³ 27-31 hours in young, healthy volunteers receiving multiple oral doses.
Excretion:³ Urine (10-20% as unchanged drug). Enterohepatic recirculation, biliary excretion, and P-glycoprotein efflux also possible. Most of the drug is reported to be excreted in the feces, though percentages not available.
Pharmacokinetics in renal impairment:³ Patients with ESRD had 75% lower clearance and prolonged elimination half-life.
Pharmacokinetics in liver disease:³ Clearance is significantly reduced and plasma half-life prolonged in patients with mild to moderate cirrhosis.
Clinically Significant Drug Interactions
Pharmacokinetic:²,³
Increased plasma concentrations of colchicine have been observed when combined with Azithromycin. Monitoring for signs of toxicity is recommended when using together. ¹¹
Pharmacodynamic:
Pharmacogenomics¹ No prescribing info, clinical annotations, or pathways available.
I. Administration¹
II. Off-label indications
COVID-19
Recommendation: Recommend against the use of colchicine for treatment or prophylaxis outside a randomized-controlled trial.
Human Data:
There are several ongoing clinical trials, based on the potential anti-inflammatory effects of colchicine.¹³