"Colchicine" - a drug prescribed for the relief of attacks of gout. The disease affects the joints and is difficult to treat. It is impossible to completely get rid of it, which forces the patient to regularly take certain medications. Analogues of "Colchicine" contain the same active substance as the original drug, but they should be selected only after consultation with a doctor. Substitutes may vary in price and effectiveness.
Description of Colchicine
The drug "Colchicine" refers to antigout, the therapeutic effect of which is based on the suppression of phagocytosis of microcrystals of uric acid salts. The drug is an alkaloid that is isolated from bulbs and colchicum seeds. The active substance - colchicine - prevents cell division, prevents the development of amyloidosis and degranulation of neutrophils.
"Colchicine" (tablets is not the only form of drug release) is most often prescribed for the relief of an acute attack of gout. The drug allows you to eliminate painful symptoms already on the second or third day of therapy. Once in the body, the drug is well absorbed from the intestines and stomach, binding mainly to the liver, kidney, spleen tissues. In the circulatory system, the active substance practically does not linger.
When not to do without "Colchicine"?
The main purpose of this drug is to prevent the development of gout attacks. As you know, this joint disease is chronic and brings a lot of suffering to patients. Colchicine has proven effective in treating gout, a relapsing form of arthritis. Initially, experts prescribed a large dose of the drug, which caused many negative reactions and complications. Currently, the daily dosage of the drug is significantly reduced. The attending physician, depending on the severity of the course of the disease, determines the individual treatment regimen with Colchicine.
The medicine, according to official instructions, can be used to treat and prevent the following diseases:
- gouty arthritis ;
- amyloidosis;
- as part of complex therapy for chondrocalcinosis;
- familial mediterranean fever;
- phlebitis;
- Behcet's disease ;
- inflammatory processes in dentistry and ENT practice.
Contraindications and side effects
Not all patients will benefit from Colchicine for the treatment of gout and the prevention of exacerbations. The use of the drug is contraindicated in people with impaired renal and liver function, because the bulk of the active substance accumulates in the tissues of these organs. Do not prescribe an alkaloid for pathologies of the digestive system, pregnancy and lactation, severe bone marrow diseases, hypersensitivity to the active component, neutropenia, purulent inflammatory processes.
It is forbidden to take medicine, as well as analogues of "Colchicine", in the presence of alcohol dependence. It has been established that alcohol causes an exacerbation of chronic joint disease and cannot be combined with drug therapy.
Side effects with taking pills most often occur with an overdose. Symptoms of an increased concentration of colchicine in the body are:
- cutting pains in the stomach;
- bouts of vomiting;
- digestive upset;
- dehydration against diarrhea;
- hypotension;
- cramps
- leukopenia;
- myopathy
- thrombocytopenia (in rare cases);
- allergic skin reactions;
- temporary alopecia;
- neuropathy
- depression.
If these symptoms occur, you should stop taking the medicine and seek qualified medical help.
Analogues of Colchicine
The drug has several analogues that provide a similar therapeutic effect and can be prescribed instead of the original drug. It should be borne in mind that Colchicine is considered one of the best drugs for the treatment and prevention of gout attacks. Treatment should be under the strict guidance and constant supervision of the attending physician. A specialist can prescribe analogues of "Colchicine" only after eliminating contraindications and conducting a patient examination.
Changing the treatment regimen with “Colchicine” or its analogues is not recommended, especially increasing the daily dosage of drugs. Some substitutes have a less pronounced therapeutic effect than the drug "Colchicine." The price of analogues can be higher. The average cost of the original product is 1300 rubles. (20 tablets per pack). Among the analogues of the drug, the most famous are “Colchicum-Dispert”, “Colchicine”.
The drug "Colchicum-Dispersion"
The tablets of dark red color have the same active substance as the preparation “Colchicine”. The analogue price is much higher and amounts to 6500-7200 rubles. The medicine contains colchicum seed extract and auxiliary components. The Austrian medication has the same therapeutic effect and inhibits the migration of leukocytes to the focus of the inflammatory process. Compared to cheaper substitutes, Colchicum Dispert is much faster. The patient can feel an improvement in condition already in 12 hours after application of tablets.
To suppress an acute attack, patients are shown to take 1.5-2 mg of the active substance on the first day. In the future, the dosage will decrease. A second course of therapy is carried out no earlier than 3 days after the last pill.
Patient Reviews
Colchicine is one of the main medicines used to treat gout. Many patients have noted the positive effects of this drug. It should be borne in mind that for successful therapy it is important to follow the treatment regimen compiled by a specialist and not to adjust the dosage of the tablets. On the first day, the dose should not exceed 2 mg. With caution, the medicine is used to treat patients with renal and hepatic insufficiency. In such cases, a dose reduction of the active component of 50% is indicated.
In addition to drug exposure, diet is indicated. It is important to reduce the intake of animal protein and easily digestible carbohydrates. It is forbidden to use table salt.