Is Colchicine For Gout Any Good?

Colchicine is an extract from a plant commonly called meadow saffron, or Colchicum which has been used as an anti-inflamatory medicine for ages. In fact there have been recorded incidences of Colchicum being prescribed as medicine more than 1500 yrs back. 

Colchicine is the active ingredient in the plant, and is available now as an extract. It is actually a poison which inhibits and even stops mitosis (cell division) and consuming an overdose can be fatal. Yet it has some benefits too. 

For example, colchicine is used to treat some forms of cancer. The understanding is that since it stops cell division, and since cancer cells divide much faster than normal cells, they will be more affected. The dosage is however limited to the effect it will have on normal tissue. 

Colchicine also has another property, that of reducing inflammation. It does this by inhibiting the mobility of neutrophil which is one of the components of the body's immune system. In fact it makes up the majority of pus. 

Since rheumatoid arthritis is caused by the body's immune system reacting against itself, colchicine has been found to be beneficial in reducing the inflammation and the consequent pain associated with attacks of arthritis. 

There are two ways in which this can be done. One is to take a daily dose of colchicine, but limit the quantity to a very low dose. The other is to take it in large doses only when an attack comes on to reduce the effects of the attack. 

Studies have found that the former way is much better in the long run as it reduces the number of attacks of rheumatoid arthritis. 

The problem is with overdose. Even a mild overdose can lead to anything starting from nausea and vomiting to actual damage to organs like the digestive system and kidneys. A very large dose may even lead to multiple organ failure. The additional issue is that the symptoms may take a long time to manifest themselves, and can set in as much as 24 hrs after consumption of Colchicine. 

It is a prescription drug, and is good for its anti-inflammatory properties. While colchicine for gout has been approved by the FDA it is not to be taken without consulting your doctor first.

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