For people to ask a question such as: How many days can you take colchicine, implies that they know very little about this drug medication and would like to know more about for how long they can use colchicine. There is really one very important thing to know about this drug medication and indeed about all other drug medications and that is how to use it properly. Read on if you want to learn more about using colchicine properly.

Using colchicine in the proper manner

When you use any medicine properly, it means that you strictly abide by what your doctor and pharmacist prescribe for you so that you can be healed of your condition without adding more issues.

In fact, this step is so important your health providers go to great lengths in providing you with the best, most complete and accurate information on the medication they are offering to you. The least you can do is to read it and thoroughly follow the directions.

For instance you shouldn’t take more of it or lesser of it than what is specified on the prescription leaflet.

You shouldn’t take for longer than the time specified by your doctor and you shouldn’t stop taking your medication perhaps because you feel well again all of a sudden.

You shouldn’t change your dose because you just feel like it or you have a problem swallowing the tablet or capsule or the liquid form just doesn’t feel right for you.

Not going along with any of the above have consequences some of them very serious and may even prove fatal. So it is in your own interest to follow what your doctor or pharmacist direct you to follow.

The invaluable medicinal guide

Everything requires an action plan, a business plan, a guideline, a manifesto of how things should be done for moving forward and so much more for a medical guide or prescription for possibly saving your life.

Your medication is inevitably accompanied by a Medication Guide which you should read thoroughly and meticulously follow. Never hesitate when you don’t understand any part of the guide but ask your doctor or pharmacist any questions you have. They’ll be happy to respond.

It’s important to note that you are permitted to take the drug medication with or without food.

Taking the colchicine medication

For patients who regularly take small doses of colchicine for their condition:

  • You should continue taking colchicine regularly in line with directions given by your doctor, you should continue until the end of your treatment and not because you suddenly feel well.
  • If you are taking this drug medication to prevent gout attacks plus another medicine to reduce the presence of uric acid in your body, it may be possible to stop taking colchicine after some time.
  • However, you shouldn’t stop taking colchicine immediately because your gout attacks may return or worsen.
  • You may be taking colchicine for different medical conditions that you have. If that’s the case, you may have to continue taking this drug medication for the rest of your life.
  • If the main reason for taking colchicine is for preventing your gout attacks, you should ask your doctor to recommend other medications that can be taken when another attack takes place.
  • The majority of people who receive sufficient preventive amounts of colchicine shouldn’t take more colchicine to weaken the extra attack of gout.
  • Nevertheless, some people are unable to take other medicines for preventing gout attacks and so they need to take extra colchicine.
  • If you fall into this category, you should ask your doctor to inform you the maximum amount of colchicine you can take and when you can resort to the smaller preventive amounts once again.
  • It’s very important that you precisely stick to the new directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist.

For patients who take large amounts of colchicine only to relieve a gout attack:

  • For best results you should begin taking colchicine when you feel the first signs of the attack.
  • You should stop taking the medication once the pain gets better or at the first signs of diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain or vomiting appear.
  • You should also stop taking colchicine once you’ve ingested the maximum amount which your doctor directed you to take for each gout attack. You should do this even if the pain is not eased or if none of the side effects occurs.
  • You should keep a record of each dose of colchicine as you take it especially for the first few times you take them.

You should also add the name of the side effects that you experience, as for instance diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain or vomiting take place. When they do, count the number of doses reached at each occurrence of side effects.

If for instance if diarrhea occurs after the fifth medicinal dose, only take four doses the next time. You should make contact with your doctor if changes in dose counts doesn’t help stop your condition.

  • When you have taken colchicine for treating an attack, you shouldn’t take any more colchicine for a minimum of 3 days. If you’ve taken an injection for relieving a gout attack, don’t take any more colchicine whether in tablet or liquid form for 7 days at least.

Older patients may need to wait much longer between treatments so they should check with their doctor for directions.

  • When you are taking colchicine for preventing an attack of gout, and simultaneously taking another medication to reduce uric acid in your body, don’t stop taking the other medication. You should continue taking it but according to the directions given to you by your doctor.

Some additional guidelines

Each time you use liquid colchicine shake the container well. You should measure the medicine you intend taking with a marked spoon, syringe or cup showing the different amounts. Avoid using an ordinary kitchen spoon as it doesn’t give the accurate amount.

You should continue using the drug medication for the entire treatment time, even if you suddenly feel better after taking the initial doses.

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice man interact with colchicine and interfere with its proper functioning and increase the amount of drug in your body. This in turn, will increase your risk of getting side effects.

You should therefore avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while you are taking this drug medicine.

Bottom line

You may still be wondering why among all the other features of drug medications such as colchicine only one of its inherent factors, that of proper use, has the status of being the most important of all. It’s quite simple really when you compare drug medication with say a new car. Regular servicing which enshrines everything else is of utmost importance. It’s the same for drugs. Use it properly and everything else falls into place including the side effects.