Welcome to the Mitigare® Gout Flare Prevention Blog, where adults can find helpful information about gout, gout flares, gout flare prevention, and lifestyle tips. Come back often to see our latest blog posts.

Colchicine Savings Program to End 12/31/23

Mitigare® True Blue Savings Program Ends This Month West-Ward Pharmaceuticals Inc. (now Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.) changed the Colchicine market in 2016 by introducing Mitigare® (Colchicine) 0.6mg Capsules for prophylaxis Read more...

Preventing Gout Attacks With Gout Pills

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 Read more...

Medicine to Prevent Gout Attacks

A gout diagnosis is not exactly cause for celebration. Or is it? If you suffer from mysterious and sudden late-night attacks of pain, redness and swelling in one of your Read more...

Going Gray With Gout

Whether you grow old gracefully or fight it every step of the way, one thing is for sure—aging is inevitable. But what about aging with gout? If you have gout, Read more...

9 Facts About Gout and What to Do if You Have It

Gout affects more than 9 million Americans.1 In spite of how common it is, many people do not know the facts about gout.1,2 Instead, misinformation, misconceptions and even stigma abound.2 Read more...

Can You Prevent Gout?

If you’ve ever watched a friend or loved one experience a gout attack, you’ll most likely do anything to avoid the same fate. Aside from the pain, the potential complications Read more...

Gout Pain Relief — Tips for Taking Allopurinol and Colchicine

Whether you are newly diagnosed with gout or have been living with the disease for a while, chances are your doctor has recommended two gout medications:1 A urate-lowering therapy (ULT) Read more...

Gout Awareness Day 2023

Wear Blue for Gout! Gout Awareness Day, held every year on May 22, is more than just a good reason to wear blue—it’s a great opportunity to educate others about Read more...

Home Remedies for Gout: What Works?

If you suffer with gout, it’s important to know that medication is one of the most effective ways to manage the condition.1,2 A urate-lowering therapy (ULT) such as allopurinol can Read more...

What Causes Gout Flares? The Answer May Surprise You

If you have been diagnosed with gout, your doctor has probably told you that it’s caused by excess uric acid in the bloodstream.1 But what triggers the sudden episodes of Read more...

Buying Good Shoes for Gout? Here’s What to Look for in Footwear if You Have Gout in Your Feet

Did you know that humans have been wearing footwear for about 30,000 years?1 Originally intended simply as a protective covering, shoes have come a long way in changing how our Read more...

Medical Conditions Associated With Gout

If you suffer with gout, there’s a good chance you could be at risk for other health problems.1,2 That’s why it’s important to understand gout and how it relates to Read more...

How to Prevent Gout Flares During the Holidays

The winter holidays bring some of life’s simplest, yet greatest joys—quality time with loved ones, a break from our day-to-day routines and fun social gatherings. But because eating and drinking Read more...

3 Things You Should Know About Generic Colchicine 0.6 mg Capsules, 2022 Update

Gout is a common form of arthritis that affects more than nine million Americans.1 The root cause of the condition is excess uric acid in the bloodstream.1 When the uric Read more...

Drug Interactions With Colchicine: Learn Which Medications Interact With Your Gout Drug

Did you know that over 20 percent of adults 40 and older take five or more prescription drugs each day?1 If you take more than one medication, you could be Read more...

Hot Drinks and Gout: Which Ones Are Best

Coffee. Tea. Hot chocolate. Mulled wine. When the mercury drops outside, there’s nothing better than coming in from the cold to enjoy a hot drink. And here’s something else to Read more...

How to Prevent Painful Gout Flares

How would you describe a painful gout flare? “Intense? Crushing? Fiery? Excruciating? Overwhelming? Unbearable?” Given a standard scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the worst pain imaginable, most Read more...

Protecting Your Joints as You Age With Gout

Whether you’re 30 or 80, you know that certain aspects of the aging process are inevitable. But it’s not a hopeless situation—there are things you can do to preserve your Read more...

Is There a Connection Between Gout and Diabetes Type 2?

Did you know that about 26% of people with gout also suffer with type 2 diabetes?1 According to the Gout Education Society, having an abnormally high uric acid level may Read more...

3 Reasons to Choose the Colchicine Capsule

Many people take colchicine to help prevent the sudden, painful episodes known as gout flares (also known as gout attacks).1,2 The drug is available in capsule, tablet and liquid formulations.3 Read more...

Wear Blue on May 22 for Gout Awareness Day

Gout affects more than nine million Americans.1 However, most people—including many who who suffer with the disease—know very little about the condition.1,2 That’s why the Gout Education Society (formerly known Read more...

What Not to Do During a Gout Flare

According to the results of a survey conducted by the Gout Education Society, one in five people with gout believe that the pain of a gout flare is worse than Read more...

Take Your Gout Medicine as Directed

If you take medicine for gout and occasionally miss a dose, you’re not alone.1 Medication nonadherence (failure to follow through with treatment) occurs in as many as 40 to 50 Read more...

An Eating Plan for Gout

For many Americans, healthier eating was a top New Year’s resolution this year.1,2 Some started diets on January 1 and never looked back. For others, however, it hasn’t been so Read more...

Do I Need Gout Medicine?

If you have gout, your first flare probably came as quite a surprise.1 Maybe you went to sleep feeling fine, only to be awakened in the middle of the night Read more...

Could It Be Gout or Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Gout and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are forms of arthritis with similar symptoms and comparable patterns of flares and remission.1,2 They can seem so similar, in fact, they are sometimes mistaken Read more...

It Couldn’t Be Gout… Could It?

If you have ever been awakened in the middle of the night with a sharp, yet unexplained pain in one of your joints, you probably wondered what on earth could Read more...

How Can I Tell if My Gout Is Getting Worse?

Although nine out of 10 people who suffer with gout agree that it is a serious health issue, far fewer are taking steps to manage it.1 In fact, just 10 Read more...

Setting a Gout Management Goal

If you suffer with frequent flares and are thinking it might be time to change how you manage your gout, you’re not alone. A 2018 treatment survey of patients at Read more...

Can I Lose Weight With Gout?

If you’re like many people, you might have put on a few pounds during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to research published in March 2021 by the Journal of the American Read more...

What Is the Best Kind of Gout Doctor?

Imagine this: You’re going to bed after an evening out where you had a delicious surf and turf dinner and a glass or two of wine.1 One minute you’re sleeping Read more...

Summer Shoes for Gout: What Should I Look for if I Have Gout in My Feet?

Ah, summer. Finally time to put away the heavy coats and trade in boots for summer kicks. But what are the best summer shoes for gout? And what should you Read more...

Should I Take Allopurinol or Colchicine to Prevent Gout Attacks?

If you have gout, your friends and family members probably try to give you all kinds of advice: “Drink more water.” “Stay away from red meat and shellfish.” “Get some Read more...

When Should I Seek Medical Attention for a Gout Flare?

If you have gout and suffer with gout attacks, when is the right time to seek medical attention for a gout flare? You may have learned (through trial and error, Read more...

Gout Awareness Day: May 22

Gout Awareness Day, May 22, was created to raise awareness of and educate people about this extremely painful form of inflammatory arthritis.1 Read on to learn more about this common Read more...

Maintaining Bone and Joint Health With Gout

Have you ever suffered a gout flare? If you have, it is certainly understandable if the threat of a sudden and intensely painful gout attack worries you more than anything Read more...

What Is My Uric Acid Level?

If you have gout, you may have heard your doctor talk about your uric acid level during your checkups. Uric acid is an important measurement, especially if you regularly suffer Read more...

Can I Make a Telemedicine Appointment for My Gout?

Given the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be thinking twice about going out in public. Visiting your doctor’s office, which at one time seemed like a routine errand, might now feel Read more...

How Might the Stress of COVID-19 Affect Gout?

For many people, the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) is a major source of fear and anxiety.1 If you have gout, the extra stress you may be feeling could affect you Read more...

Is There a Cure for Gout?

Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have had the condition for years, you may have wondered whether or not there is a cure for gout. According to the Centers for Disease Read more...

Cooking Gout-Friendly Meals at Home

Dining out certainly has its advantages—a wide variety of menu options, no chopping or sautéing and zero cleanup to name a few. But dining in has advantages, too. You probably Read more...

Is Gout Disease Becoming More Common?

Gout is an old disease1, but recent research shows that it affects more people today than it has in centuries past2. In fact, a 2018 population-based study found that the Read more...

Are Gout and Pseudogout the Same?

Like gout, pseudogout (pronounced SOO-doe-gout) is a type of arthritis that can cause sudden attacks of pain and swelling in one or more of the joints.1 Unlike gout, however, which Read more...

Gout Risk and Aging in Women

Many of the changes you experience as you get older are positive. Maybe you feel more comfortable in your own skin. Perhaps your priorities are clearer. And maybe you’re lucky Read more...

The Risks of Uncontrolled Gout

Anyone who has ever had a gout flare knows how excruciating the condition can be.1 However, the agony of gout isn’t necessarily the most significant concern associated with the disease.2 Read more...

What is the Relationship Between Gout and Kidney Disease?

People who suffer with gout are more likely to develop kidney disease.1 Similarly, those with kidney disease are more liable to have elevated uric acid levels and suffer with gout.1 Read more...

Taking Colchicine With ULT

If you have gout, chances are your doctor has prescribed urate-lowering therapy (ULT) to reduce the amount of uric acid in your bloodstream and help manage the disease.1 But did Read more...

Answers to Questions About Gout You May Be Afraid to Ask

Gout is the most common inflammatory arthritis in the US and acute gout flares are among the most painful events humans can experience.1 Yet, many people who suffer with it Read more...

Eating Healthy With Gout This Summer

Summer is here—that wonderful time of year when fresh, delicious produce is everywhere! While it’s a great idea to follow a well-balanced diet all year long, many foods widely available Read more...

What You Need to Know About Dietary Supplements

Congress passed the Dietary Supplement Health Education Act (DSHEA) in 1994.1 Since then, the dietary supplement industry has grown from a $4 billion into a $40 billion business.1 Not surprisingly, Read more...

Foot Care As You Age

Regardless of whether or not you have gout, foot care is important—especially as you get older.1,2 Taking small steps to care for your feet now can help you maintain (or Read more...

The Cost of Colchicine

As you’re probably aware, prescription drug prices in the US have been creeping up for years.1 Some have been rising more quickly than others, however.1 The price of Colcrys® (colchicine, Read more...

Gout Quiz—Test Your Knowledge of Gout

How much do you know about gout? Take this interesting and informative gout quiz and test your knowledge. TAKE QUIZ WW-01021    

A Brief History of Gout Disease

First identified by the Egyptians around 2640 BC, gout is one of the earliest known diseases.1 Millions of people (mostly men) still suffer with it today.2 Fortunately, scientists have learned Read more...

2020 Update to Gout Management Guidelines

The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) is a non-profit, global organization committed to improving the care of people with rheumatic diseases, including gout.1 To establish the most effective disease management Read more...

How to Track Your Gout Triggers and Gout Attacks

Gout attacks, or flares, can be caused by a number of triggers.1-3 Although some of them are outside of your control, others may be avoidable.1-3 Keeping track of your gout Read more...

Serum Uric Acid and Other Important Numbers for People With Gout

You may have heard that gout is caused by excess uric acid in your bloodstream, a condition known as hyperuricemia.1 But did you know that having excess uric acid in Read more...

How to Handle a Gout Attack

For many people with gout, it’s hard to imagine anything more painful than a gout attack.1 Fortunately, there are a number of ways you can ease the intense pain, heat Read more...

Is There a Way to Save on Colchicine?

If you take a urate-lowering therapy (ULT) for gout, you may also take one of these colchicine products to help prevent gout flares: Mitigare® (Colchicine) 0.6 mg Capsules Authorized Generic Read more...

New Year—New Approach to Gout and Gout Flares

The beginning of the new year is a great time to make positive changes that support your long-term health. With the holidays behind you, you may find it easier to Read more...

Don’t Let Gout Get You Down—Get the Gout Treatment You Need and Deserve

Gout is a common form of inflammatory arthritis that affects more than 8 million Americans.1 Unfortunately, fewer than one in three people who have it are getting the gout treatment Read more...

Enjoying the Holidays to the Fullest in Spite of Gout

‘Tis the season for family get-togethers, parties and other gatherings where eating and drinking are the focus. If you have gout, however, you may be worried about how small changes Read more...

Gender Differences in Gout: What You Need to Know

Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis that affects about 8 million people in the US.1 You may already know that men are more likely to suffer with the disease Read more...

More than Just a Swollen Toe—Debunking 6 Common Gout Myths

Gout was first identified by the Egyptians in 2640 BC.1 However, many misconceptions about the disease have developed since then. How much do you know about gout? In this article, Read more...

Frequently Asked Questions About Gout

Learning everything you can about gout may help you to feel more in control of the disease and make more informed decisions about your care. Read on to get the Read more...

I’ve been diagnosed with gout. Now what?

If you have recently learned you have gout, you may have mixed feelings about your diagnosis. Perhaps you are relieved to know that the source of your discomfort is treatable. Read more...

Frequently Asked Questions About Colchicine

Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis that affects more than eight million people in the US.1 Those who suffer with the disease sometimes experience sudden, intensely painful attacks called Read more...

Caring For Your Loved One With Gout

As excruciating as gout flares can be1, it’s almost as painful to watch someone else suffer with them—especially someone you care about. Fortunately, there are many ways to provide support Read more...

Why Do Gout Attacks Happen at Night?

Many people with gout know what it’s like to be awakened at 3 am with the excruciating pain of a gout flare. But why do gout attacks happen at night? Read more...

How Can I Stay Active When I Have Gout?

As you’ve probably heard from your doctor, regular exercise is an important part of staying healthy long-term.1 Among other benefits, physical activity can help you increase your strength and flexibility, Read more...

How Do I Know if I Have Gout?

If you’ve ever woken up during the night with a burning pain in your foot, you may have had a gout flare.1 But gout can be tricky to diagnose, because Read more...

Is Gout Hereditary?

Gout is a common form of inflammatory arthritis that is known for its intensely painful attacks.1 Long referred to as “the disease of kings,”2 many people and even some healthcare Read more...

Understanding Gout Flare Triggers

If you’re like a lot of adults with gout, your first experience with the disease was probably very sudden.1 Perhaps you awoke in the middle of the night feeling like Read more...

Stay Organized With a Medication Log

As we age, many of us need multiple medications each day to help manage our chronic health conditions.1 But when you take more than one medicine, it can be hard Read more...

Generic vs Brand-name Drugs

Perhaps you’ve come home from a recent trip to the drugstore to find that your prescription for a brand-name drug has been filled with a generic version. But do generic Read more...

The Most Common Gout Symptoms in Adults

Picture this: You’re sound asleep in bed. A few hours ago, you came home from a nice evening out where you had shrimp cocktail, a steak and a glass of Read more...

Allopurinol and Colchicine May Help Adults Prevent Gout Flares

More than eight million Americans are currently living with gout.1 If you are one of them, your doctor may have prescribed you a urate-lowering therapy (ULT) such as allopurinol. Allopurinol Read more...

Which Medications May Interact With Mitigare®?

Any time you start on a new medication, it is important to consider how it might interact with the other medicines, vitamins or supplements you are already taking. What are some Read more...

Is There a Link Between Drinking Coffee and Gout?

If you start your day with coffee, you’re in good company. According to the results of a survey commissioned by the National Coffee Association, 64 percent of Americans 18 or Read more...

How Can I Talk to My Doctor About Gout?

Gout, a form of inflammatory arthritis, affects more than eight million Americans.1 The disease is caused by excess uric acid in the bloodstream, a medical condition known as hyperuricemia.1 Adults Read more...

What Is a Gout Diet?

While it’s a great idea to follow a well-balanced diet, it’s especially important for gout sufferers to watch what they eat. Cutting down on or eliminating certain foods can make Read more...

Shoes for Gout: What is the Best Footwear if I Have Gout in My Feet?

Almost everyone knows how uncomfortable it is to wear shoes that don’t fit properly. And many of us are guilty of trading comfort and function for style from time to Read more...

Gout and Heart Disease: How Risk Factors for Gout May Impact Your Heart Health

Gout, a form of inflammatory arthritis, affects more than 8 million people in the US.1 Gout can eventually cause permanent damage to bones and joints of adults if left unmanaged.2 Read more...

How Does Having Gout Affect My Bones and Joint Health?

Gout is a painful form of inflammatory arthritis that is caused by excess uric acid in the bloodstream.1 If you have gout, your doctor may have recommended that you reduce Read more...

How Can I Fit Physical Activity Into My Busy Life?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 70 percent of American adults are considered overweight or obese.1 Multiple studies show that our increasingly sedentary lifestyles are Read more...

The Most Common Risk Factors for Gout

Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis caused by a build-up of uric acid crystals in the bloodstream.1 This condition causes crystals to form and build up around one or more Read more...

Gout Management Costs & Why Prevention Matters

Gout is becoming increasingly common in the US.1 About 6 million men and 2 million women in the US suffer with it2, and incidence of the disease has more than Read more...

Gout in Women: Not Just a Men’s Disease

Gout is a painful type of inflammatory arthritis that affects more than 8 million people in the US.1 Nearly three times as many men as women have gout.1 However, the Read more...

ULT and Colchicine: How Are They Used Together?

If you suffer with gout, you may take a uric-acid lowering therapy (ULT) such as allopurinol, Uloric (febuxostat), Zurampic® (lesinurad) or Krystexxa® (pegloticase).1-4 These medications have been shown to be Read more...

What Is the Difference Between Gout and Gout Flares?

More than 8 million Americans suffer with gout.1 But many don’t know they have gout because they haven’t experienced gout flares. It’s important to understand the difference between gout and gout Read more...

Why Is the Color of a Medication Important?

According to the US Food and Drug Administration, medication errors are the most common type of mistake made in health care.1 However, the color of a medication can reduce the Read more...

Which Medications Can Affect Gout?

If you are like many American adults, you take multiple prescription medications each day to manage your chronic health conditions.1 Although these prescriptions may help to improve your overall health, Read more...

The Four Stages of Gout: What Could Happen if I Don’t Manage My Gout

If you’ve ever had a gout flare, you know one thing for sure—you never want it to happen again. Flares can occur suddenly, often in the middle of the night.1 Read more...

Exercise and Adults With Gout

Gout is a common type of inflammatory arthritis.1,2 Painful gout flares can happen when excess uric acid in the bloodstream causes urate crystals to build up around the joints.2 Although Read more...

How Is Gout Diagnosed in Adults?

Gout is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis, affecting more than one percent of the population.1 However, it can be difficult to accurately diagnose because its symptoms can be Read more...

Understanding Gout: A Glossary of Commonly Used Gout Terms

Here are some of the terms often used to describe gout, gout flares and gout prevention.   Commonly Used Gout Terms acute gouty arthritis—A condition where uric acid crystals form Read more...

Why It’s Important for Adults to Stay on Preventive Therapy Against Gout Flares

Approximately 8.3 million Americans are currently living with gout.1 Certain lifestyle changes may help manage this painful disease, but medication is the most proven, effective preventive therapy against gout flares.2 Read more...

Tips to Help Manage Gout in Social Settings

Gout is a painful type of inflammatory arthritis.1 It is caused by the build-up of uric acid crystals in the joints.2 Adults with gout can suffer from attacks, also called Read more...

Consider Mitigare® (colchicine) 0.6 mg Capsules for Preventing Gout Flares in Adults

Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis caused by a condition called hyperuricemia.1 Hyperuricemia happens when there is too much uric acid in the body.1 When hyperuricemia becomes severe, uric Read more...

What is Gout?

Gout is a painful form of inflammatory arthritis.1 Approximately 8.3 million Americans live with this disease.1 Gout usually appears first in the big toe, but can also affect the midfoot, Read more...

Top Signs You May Want to See a Doctor for Gout

People with gout, a painful form of inflammatory arthritis, sometimes have an initial occurrence, followed by a long period of time when the gout is in remittance before it flares again.  Read more...

What Men Need to Know About Gout

Gout, a painful form of inflammatory arthritis, causes swelling and redness in the big toe and feet, as well as other body parts.1 Gout results from an overproduction by the body Read more...

Important Things to Know About Alcohol and Gout Flare Prevention in Adults

Gout is a common form of inflammatory arthritis. It is caused by a condition called hyperuricemia. Hyperuricemia happens when there is too much uric acid in the body. When this occurs, Read more...

What Happens to Your Body When You Have Gout?

A frequently asked question is: “What happens to your body when you have gout?” Gout is a type of arthritis. It is caused by the buildup of uric acid crystals Read more...

What You Need to Know After Being Diagnosed with Gout

The big toe often is where gout attacks first. Gout attacks also can occur in the heels, instep, ankles, knees, elbows, hips, thumbs, and fingers. Symptoms of gout include intense Read more...

Menopause and Gout: What You Need to Know

Gout, a painful form of inflammatory arthritis, has been in existence since ancient times.1 With its painful swelling and redness, gout often occurs in the big toe and may show up Read more...

Couples and Gout: What You Need to Know

Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis. Unlike other types of arthritis, it’s caused by a build-up of uric acid in the body. This build-up of uric acid can lead to Read more...

Best and Worst Foods and Drinks for Adults with Gout

People affected by gout actually have a lot of power over the course of their disease. That’s because what a person chooses to eat and drink can have a direct Read more...

Colchicine: How Does It Help Adults with Gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by a build-up of uric acid crystals in the joints and other areas of the body and surrounding tissues. These crystals come from the Read more...

Mitigare® for the Prevention of Gout Flares in Adults: What You Need to Know

Gout is a painful form of inflammatory arthritis1 caused by a condition called hyperuricemia. Hyperuricemia happens when there is too much uric acid in the body. When there is too much uric Read more...

Important Safety Information for Mitigare® (colchicine) 0.6 mg capsules

  • 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.

Indication

Mitigare® is indicated for prophylaxis of gout flares in adults. The safety and effectiveness of Mitigare for acute treatment of gout flares during prophylaxis has not been studied.

Mitigare® is not an analgesic medication and should not be used to treat pain from other causes.

For Full Prescribing Information please CLICK HERE and for Medication Guide CLICK HERE.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.

Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Manufactured by: West-Ward Columbus Inc., Columbus, OH 43228

Important Safety Information for Mitigare® (colchicine) 0.6 mg capsules

  • 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.