Gout is considered one of the world’s oldest diseases, so it’s not surprising that gout pills have been around for a very long time.1 One well-known kind of gout pill is colchicine.2 If you have frequent gout attacks (also known as gout flares) or have recently started taking a urate-lowering therapy (ULT) such as allopurinol, you may want to ask your doctor about colchicine gout pills.3 This type of gout pill may be able to help you avoid sudden and excruciatingly painful gout flares.3,4 Read on to learn more about preventing gout attacks with gout pills.
What causes gout?
The root cause of gout is excess uric acid in the bloodstream, a medical condition known as hyperuricemia.5 Your body makes uric acid when it breaks down purines, which are substances that occur naturally in the body and also are present in many foods and drinks.6
Normally, the uric acid in your body dissolves in the bloodstream, travels through the kidneys and is flushed out in the urine.6 Sometimes, however, the body makes too much uric acid or releases too little.6 When the uric acid level in the body remains abnormally high for a long time, needle-shaped urate crystals can begin to form in a joint.6
What causes gout attacks?
When the uric acid level in the bloodstream goes down, the urate crystals that have formed in a joint can start to come apart and/or dissolve.7 Sometimes, this breakdown process sets off an intense episode of pain, redness and swelling (i.e., a gout attack).6,7 Believe it or not, a common cause of gout flares is actually ULT—especially at the start of treatment.3 Doctors often prescribe colchicine to patients beginning ULT to prevent treatment-related gout flares.1,3,7 One such colchicine product is Mitigare® (Colchicine) 0.6mg Capsules.4
What kind of gout pills should I take?
Everyone is different, so the best person to answer this question is your healthcare provider
How do Mitigare® gout pills work?
When urate crystals form in a joint, the body sometimes responds to them as if they are a serious threat (bacteria or a foreign substance, for example).2 Since the body can’t necessarily tell the difference between urate crystals and a truly dangerous invader, it may attempt to protect itself by rushing white blood cells and other infection fighters to the affected joint.2 This sudden immune response can cause a painful gout attack.2 Gout pills that contain colchicine are believed to prevent gout flares by reducing the intensity of the immune system’s response.2,4,7
Do gout pills work immediately?
It’s important to take preventive measures to stop gout attacks before they happen.7 If you suffer with gout attacks, make an appointment to see your doctor. He or she will probably examine the affected joint(s), ask you about your symptoms and perform diagnostic tests.8 Based on the results of these tests, your doctor may recommend gout pills and/or lifestyle changes to help you manage the disease.
Can I take other anti-inflammatory medicines with Mitigare® gout pills?
Always ask your healthcare provider before you change your medications or start new ones (even those sold over the counter).
How many gout pills can I take in a day?
You should take only the number of gout pills prescribed by your healthcare provider. Check the label on the bottle and contact your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure how much to take. Do not change your dose or stop taking your medicine without first talking with your healthcare provider. Your gout pills should come with a medication guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions.
How long does Mitigare® stay in my system?
According to the Full Prescribing Information for Mitigare®, the half life of Mitigare® is 31 hours.4 This means it takes 31 hours for the initial concentration of Mitigare® to drop by half.4
What if I miss a Mitigare® gout pill?
If you miss a dose of Mitigare®, take it as soon as you remember.4 If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose.4 Take the next dose at your regular time.4 Do not take 2 doses at the same time.4 For more information, see the Medication Guide for Mitigare®, which is available with the Full Prescribing Information.4
How long can I stay on gout pills?
Once you start gout pills, do not stop taking them until your healthcare provider tells you to do so.3,4,8 The American College of Rheumatology Guidelines for the Management of Gout recommend that people who are beginning ULT start and stay on an anti-inflammatory medicine such as colchicine for at least the first three to six months of ULT.3
Mitigare® is a registered trademark of Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.
Colchicine 0.6 mg capsules are contraindicated in patients with renal or hepatic impairment who are currently prescribed drugs that inhibit both P-gp and CYP3A4. 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 Mitigare®.
Fatal overdoses have been reported with colchicine in adults and children. Keep Mitigare® out of the reach of children.
Blood dyscrasias such as myelosuppression, leukopenia, granulocytopenia, thrombocytopenia and aplastic anemia have been reported with colchicine used in therapeutic doses.
Monitor for toxicity and, if present, consider temporary interruption or discontinuation of colchicine.
Drug interaction with dual P-gp and CYP3A4 inhibitors: Co-administration of colchicine with dual P-gp and CYP3A4 inhibitors has resulted in life-threatening interactions and death.
Neuromuscular toxicity and rhabdomyolysis may occur with chronic treatment with colchicine in therapeutic doses, especially in combination with other drugs known to cause this effect. Patients with impaired renal function and elderly patients (including those with normal renal and hepatic function) are at increased risk. Consider temporary interruption or discontinuation of Mitigare®.
The most commonly reported adverse reactions with colchicine are gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
Please see the full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for Mitigare® for complete product details.
NOTE: This article was not written by a medical professional and is not intended to substitute for the guidance of a physician. These are not Hikma’s recommendations for gout flare prevention, but rather facts and data collected from various reliable medical sources. For a full list of resources and their attributing links, see below.