Side Effects of Colcrys
Patients taking Colcrys may experience some side effects. In the event of experiencing common side effects at the start of therapy, the patient should be made aware that these side effects normally disappear after few days when their body becomes adjusted to the medicine. It is the rare and serious side effects that require immediate medical attention. Some of the common side effects that are usually reported while using Colcrys include:
- Headache
- Mild Nausea
- Dizziness & Weakness
- Constipation
- Insomnia
- Weight Gain
- Mild Diarrhea
- Hair fall
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Breathing Problem
Sometimes patient taking Colcrys may also experience severe side effects that need immediate medical consultation. Although the chance of severe side effects are quite rare, the patients should still be made aware of these side effects. Severe or uncommon side effects that are usually reported with the drug are as follows:
- Muscle pain or weakness
- Numbness in fingers or toes
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
- Pale appearance of lips, tongue, or hands
- Severe diarrhea
- Frequent or severe infections that may be indication of low white blood cells
Colchicine Drug Interaction
Colchicine can potentially interact with certain medication that can prove dangerous and fatal for the patients. It is important for the patients to inform doctor about all prescription, non-prescription and herbal medicine taken by them before starting treatment with Colcrys. Some of the medications that may lead to drug interactions with Colcrys include:
- Amprenavir
- Atazanavir
- Darunavir
- Delavirdine
- Erythromycin
- Antidepressant like Nefazodone
- Antifungal medications like Sporanox, Nizoral, Oravig and Vfend etc.
- Statin medications like Atorvastatin, Fluvastatin, Lovastatin and Pravastatin etc.
- Antibiotic such as clarithromycin or telithromycin
- Medicines used to prevent organ transplant rejection such as cyclosporine
Warnings and Important Precautions
Patients prescribed with Colchicine must be aware of warnings and precautions associated with the drug. Knowledge of warnings will make patients aware of consequences that can arise after taking the drug. Some of the important warnings and precautions of Colcrys are:
- Colcrys can cause low levels of various blood cells that may result in anaemia, low blood platelets or low white blood cells.
- This drug can cause nerve or muscle problems that can become serious if left untreated.
- Patients having liver or kidney disease must be prescribed with lower Colcrys dosage.
- Pregnant women and lactating mothers should avoid taking this drug.
- Patients allergic to any of the ingredients of Colcrys should avoid taking this drug.
- Patients suffering diabetes, blood pressure problems, heart problems, stroke or seizures should avoid Colcrys.
- Elderly patients above the age of 65 years should start with the low dose of the drug.
