Common questions about colchicine

To treat gout, colchicine works by reducing the inflammation caused by crystals of uric acid in your joints. This also helps to reduce pain.

The way that colchicine works for familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is complicated. Colchicine can affect the way your white blood cells work. This helps to reduce the inflammation that can cause symptoms.

Colchicine starts to work after around 30 minutes to 2 hours. However, it may take a day or two before you notice your inflammation and pain starts to get better.

If you're taking it to prevent symptoms of FMF, you may not feel any different.

Colchicine is generally a safe medicine, if you follow your doctor's instructions.

However, if you are taking a high dose for a long time, there is a small risk of getting kidney or liver problems.

Talk to your doctor if you're worried. They will be able to explain the benefits and risks of taking colchicine.

There are a few types of medicine that can help with gout and its symptoms.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, can help symptoms such as inflammation and pain when you have gout.

Allopurinol can help prevent your gout from coming back. It does this by lowering the levels of uric acid in your body. This stops urate crystals (that cause inflammation and pain) from forming in and around your joints.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about your treatment.

Colchicine does not stop any type of contraception from working, including the combined contraceptive pill, progestogen-only pill and emergency contraception.

However, if colchicine makes you vomit or have severe diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, your contraceptive pills may not protect you from pregnancy. Look on the pill packet to find out what to do.

Find out more:

• What to do if you're sick or have diarrhoea when taking the combined pill
• What to do if you're sick or have diarrhoea when taking the progestogen-only pill

Generally, colchicine will not affect your ability to drive or ride a bike.

However, if you feel sleepy or dizzy after taking your medicine, do not drive, cycle or use any machinery or tools until you feel OK again.

It's an offence to drive a car if your ability to drive safely is affected. It's your responsibility to decide if it's safe to drive. If you're in any doubt, do not drive.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you're unsure whether it's safe for you to drive while taking colchicine. GOV.UK has more information on the law on drugs and driving.

Yes, you can drink alcohol with colchicine. Alcohol does not affect how this medicine works.

However, drinking alcohol increases the level of uric acid in your blood. This could make your gout worse.

It's best to stick to the national guidelines of no more than 14 units a week. A standard glass of wine (175ml) is 2 units. A pint of lager or beer is usually 2 to 3 units of alcohol.

Generally, you can eat and drink as normal while taking colchicine.

The only thing you need to avoid is grapefruit and grapefruit juice. This is because grapefruit can increase the amount of colchicine in your blood.

However, reducing certain types of food and drink may help to stop gout coming back. It's a good idea not to have too much:

• red meat, kidneys, liver, or seafood
• sugary drinks and snacks
• fatty foods
• alcohol

There are lifestyle changes you can make to help stop getting gout or reduce the chance of it returning:

• make sure you're a healthy weight
• eat well – cut saturated fat and increase fibre, fruits, vegetables, wholegrains and fish
• quit smoking
• cut down on alcohol
• try to exercise every day