Colchicine is an alkaloid obtained from the plant colchicum autumnale . The chemical name for colchicine is ( S)-N- (5,6,7,9- tetrahydro-1,2,3,10-tetramethoxy-9 oxobenzol[a]heptalen-7-yl) acetamide. The structural formula is represented below: Colchicine consists of pale yellow scales or powder; it darkens on exposure to light. Colchicine is soluble in water, freely soluble in alcohol, and slightly soluble in ether. Colchicine capsules are supplied for oral administration. Each capsule contains 0.6 mg colchicine, USP and the following inactive ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, lactose anhydrous, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, and sodium starch glycolate. The capsule shell contains gelatin, purified water, titanium dioxide, erythrosine, Brilliant Blue FCF, and may contain D&C Red No. 28, FD&C Red No. 40 and Quinoline Yellow. Structural Formula Image

What kind of drug is colchicine?

The FDA classifies colchicine as an alkaloid. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.

Can you take colchicine with other medicines?

It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run colchicine against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.

What brand names is colchicine sold under?

We track 4 colchicine-containing products in the U.S.: Mitigare, Colcrys, Gloperba and Lodoco. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.

What forms does colchicine come in?

Across the brands we track, colchicine is currently marketed as capsule, tablet and solution, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Is there a generic colchicine?

We do not currently list a generic-labelled colchicine product. That does not always mean none exists — it means none appears under a generic name in the FDA data we track. Ask your pharmacist.

Has colchicine been recalled?

The FDA's Enforcement database lists 1 recall record whose product description mentions colchicine. The most recent: Colchicine Capsules 0.6 mg (Dec 18, 2024). A recall applies to specific lots, not to the drug as a whole — check the record for the affected lot numbers.

Colchicine: uses, dosing, side effects & brands

Colchicine is an alkaloid sold in the U.S. under 4 brand and generic names, for amyloidosis, gout and biliary liver cirrhosis. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.

By the pharmaranks editorial teamReviewed against the FDA (openFDA label, NDC Directory & Enforcement) sourcesHow we research

Key facts

Drug class: Alkaloid
Treats: Amyloidosis, Gout and Biliary Liver Cirrhosis
Available as: Capsule · Tablet · Solution
Sold as: 4 products — Mitigare, Colcrys and Gloperba, and others
Prescription?: Prescription only
Generic available?: Not in our catalog
Typical price: about $4 for a 30-count supply

How colchicine is dosed

From the FDA label for Mitigare (application NDA204820). Other colchicine products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.

The recommended dosage is 0.6 mg (one capsule) once or twice daily ( 2 ). Maximum dose 1.2 mg/day. • Colchicine capsules are administered orally, without regard to meals ( 2 ). 2.1 Recommended Dosage for Gout Prophylaxis For prophylaxis of gout flares, the recommended dosage of colchicine capsules is 0.6 mg once or twice daily. The maximum dose is 1.2 mg per day. Colchicine capsules are administered orally, without regard to meals.

Colchicine side effects

Gastrointestinal disorders are the most common adverse reactions with colchicine. They are often the first signs of toxicity and may indicate that the colchicine dosage needs to be reduced or therapy stopped. These include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Colchicine has been reported to cause neuromuscular toxicity, which may present as muscle pain or weakness [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ]. Toxic manifestations associated with colchicine include myelosuppression, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and injury to cells in the renal, hepatic, circulatory, and central nervous system. These most often occur with excessive accumulation or overdosage [see Overdosage (10) ]. The following reactions have been reported with colchicine. These have been generally reversible by interrupting treatment or lowering the dose of colchicine: Digestive : abdominal cramping, abdominal pain, diarrhea, lactose intolerance, nausea, vomiting Neurological : sensory motor neuropathy Dermatological : alopecia, maculopapular rash, purpura, rash Hematological : leukopenia, granulocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, pancytopenia, aplastic anemia Hepatobiliary : elevated AST, elevated ALT Musculoskeletal : myopathy, elevated CPK, myotonia, muscle weakness, muscle pain, rhabdomyolysis Reproductive : azoospermia, oligospermia The most commonly reported adverse reactions with colchicine are…

Who shouldn’t take colchicine

Patients with renal or hepatic impairment should not be given colchicine capsules with drugs that inhibit both P-glycoprotein and CYP3A4 inhibitors [see Drug Interactions (7) ] . Combining these dual inhibitors with colchicine in patients with renal or hepatic impairment has resulted in life-threatening or fatal colchicine toxicity. Patients with both renal and hepatic impairment should not be given colchicine capsules. • Patients with renal or hepatic impairment should not be given colchicine capsules in conjunction with drugs that inhibit both P-gp and CYP3A4 ( 4 ). • Patients with both renal and hepatic impairment should not be given colchicine capsules ( 4 ).

Every colchicine product we track (4)

Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.

Colchicine products
#	Drug	Rating	Type	Form	Generic?	Typical price
1	Mitigare	70/100	Prescription	Capsule	Generic	$4	View →
2	Colcrys	Not yet rated	Prescription	Tablet	Generic	$4

What colchicine pills look like

Imprint codes, colour and shape from the FDA’s labelling data. Match the imprint on your pill — or search any imprint.

Colchicine pill imprints
Imprint	Strength	Colour	Shape	Maker
P171	0.6 mg	purple	capsule	—
C6	0.6 mg	purple	capsule	—
par;080	0.6 mg	white, green	capsule	—
G02	0.6 mg	purple	capsule	—
Y372	0.6 mg	purple	capsule	—
CL025	500 mg / 0.5 mg

Combination products containing colchicine

A combination is a different drug — different dosing, different warnings. It is listed here so you can find it, not so you can substitute it.

Colbenemid

Colchicine recalls

From the FDA Enforcement database. A recall covers specific lots — not the drug as a whole.

Colchicine Capsules 0.6 mg
Failed Dissolution Specifications: Out of specification observed during the accelerated stability conditions for the 30 count bottles.
Granules Pharmaceuticals Inc. · Dec 18, 2024

Frequently asked questions

What is colchicine?: Colchicine is an alkaloid obtained from the plant colchicum autumnale . The chemical name for colchicine is ( S)-N- (5,6,7,9- tetrahydro-1,2,3,10-tetramethoxy-9 oxobenzol[a]heptalen-7-yl) acetamide. The structural formula is represented below: Colchicine consists of pale yellow scales or powder; it darkens on exposure to light. Colchicine is soluble in water, freely soluble in alcohol, and slightly soluble in ether. Colchicine capsules are supplied for oral administration. Each capsule contains 0.6 mg colchicine, USP and the following inactive ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, lactose anhydrous, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, and sodium starch glycolate. The capsule shell contains gelatin, purified water, titanium dioxide, erythrosine, Brilliant Blue FCF, and may contain D&C Red No. 28, FD&C Red No. 40 and Quinoline Yellow. Structural Formula Image
What kind of drug is colchicine?: The FDA classifies colchicine as an alkaloid. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.
Can you take colchicine with other medicines?: It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run colchicine against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.
What brand names is colchicine sold under?: We track 4 colchicine-containing products in the U.S.: Mitigare, Colcrys, Gloperba and Lodoco. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.
What forms does colchicine come in?: Across the brands we track, colchicine is currently marketed as capsule, tablet and solution, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.