NSTK · 01.2026Independent supplement reference
NutriStack
Edition 1.0Updated July 13, 2026

Colchicine

Prescription ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026

An anti-inflammatory alkaloid derived from the autumn crocus plant, used for the treatment and prevention of gout flares and for familial Mediterranean fever. Colchicine has also shown cardiovascular benefit in reducing recurrent cardiovascular events (COLCOT trial) and pericarditis. It has a narrow therapeutic index requiring careful dosing.

Evidence tier
Strong
Indexed sources
11 2020–2026
Interactions
0
Category
Prescription
Read the sources → Compare profiles
Publication status

Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.

See the editorial and medical-review policies for the publication gate.

This generated database record has not completed a claim-level review by a qualified human medical reviewer. Bibliography links and evidence labels are not approval. The page remains available for reference and is excluded from search indexing.

In short

What the research says.

A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.

An anti-inflammatory alkaloid derived from the autumn crocus plant, used for the treatment and prevention of gout flares and for familial Mediterranean fever. NutriStack rates the supporting evidence as strong. Common adult dosing is Acute gout flare: 1.2 mg at first sign, then 0.6 mg one hour later (max 1.8 mg per flare); Prophylaxis: 0.6 mg once or twice daily (as prescribed by your physician), though a prescriber sets the actual dose. This profile indexes 11 sources.

What it's good for
  • Treatment of acute gout flares10,9
  • Prophylaxis against gout flares during urate-lowering therapy initiation9,10
  • Treatment of familial Mediterranean fever
  • Cardiovascular event reduction (post-MI, per COLCOT trial)3,1
  • Treatment and prevention of recurrent pericarditis1,4
What to watch for
  • Diarrhea (most common, dose-limiting)
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Abdominal cramping
  • Concurrent use of strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, clarithromycin) in patients with renal or hepatic impairment
  • Severe renal impairment requiring dialysis

The bottom line

Evidence rating strong. Most-documented uses: treatment of acute gout flares, prophylaxis against gout flares during urate-lowering therapy initiation, treatment of familial mediterranean fever. 11 sources indexed (2020–2026), with 0 interaction records on file.

The science

How it works, mechanistically.

Core mechanism

Binds to tubulin and inhibits its polymerization into microtubules, disrupting multiple inflammatory processes. This inhibits neutrophil migration to sites of urate crystal deposition, impairs neutrophil phagocytosis and degranulation, reduces inflammasome (NLRP3) activation and IL-1 beta release, and decreases leukotriene B4 and prostaglandin production. The overall effect is a potent reduction in the inflammatory response to monosodium urate crystals.

Class
Anti-Gout / Anti-Inflammatory
Dosing

Dosing & protocol.

Common range
Acute gout flare: 1.2 mg at first sign, then 0.6 mg one hour later (max 1.8 mg per flare); Prophylaxis: 0.6 mg once or twice daily (as prescribed by your physician)
Recommended form
Tablet or capsule

Can be taken with or without food; reduce dose or avoid with strong CYP3A4 or P-glycoprotein inhibitors1,6

Safety

Full safety detail.

Side effects

  • Diarrhea (most common, dose-limiting)
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Abdominal cramping
  • Myopathy and rhabdomyolysis (especially with statins or renal impairment)
  • Bone marrow suppression (with chronic high-dose use)
  • Peripheral neuropathy (rare, with chronic use)

Contraindications

  • Concurrent use of strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, clarithromycin) in patients with renal or hepatic impairment
  • Severe renal impairment requiring dialysis
  • Severe hepatic impairment
  • Known hypersensitivity to colchicine1,2
  • Blood dyscrasias
Sources

Sources, by evidence tier.

Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.

Meta-analyses & systematic reviews

6

Randomized controlled trials

1

Reference material

4
FAQ

Common questions.

Quick answers about Colchicine, drawn from the data on this page.

What is Colchicine?

An anti-inflammatory alkaloid derived from the autumn crocus plant, used for the treatment and prevention of gout flares and for familial Mediterranean fever. Colchicine has also shown cardiovascular benefit in reducing recurrent cardiovascular events (COLCOT trial) and pericarditis. It has a narrow therapeutic index requiring careful dosing.

What is Colchicine used for?

Commonly cited benefits of Colchicine include: Treatment of acute gout flares; Prophylaxis against gout flares during urate-lowering therapy initiation; Treatment of familial Mediterranean fever; Cardiovascular event reduction (post-MI, per COLCOT trial); Treatment and prevention of recurrent pericarditis. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as strong.

What is a typical dose of Colchicine?

A typical adult dose of Colchicine is Acute gout flare: 1.2 mg at first sign, then 0.6 mg one hour later (max 1.8 mg per flare); Prophylaxis: 0.6 mg once or twice daily (as prescribed by your physician). The commonly recommended form is Tablet or capsule. These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.

What are the side effects of Colchicine?

Reported side effects include diarrhea (most common, dose-limiting), nausea and vomiting, abdominal cramping, myopathy and rhabdomyolysis (especially with statins or renal impairment), bone marrow suppression (with chronic high-dose use), peripheral neuropathy (rare, with chronic use). This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.

How strong is the evidence for Colchicine?

NutriStack rates this as Strong, meaning multiple high-quality meta-analyses or systematic reviews converge on the same finding. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.

Use this with your stack

Colchicine in NutriStack.

Add it to your stack, see how it interacts with everything else you take, and get a Stack Score that updates the moment it does.

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NutriStack is an informational and organizational tool, not a medical service, and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement or medication.