ColBenemidCol-ProbenecidProben-C

Generic Name: ColBenemidCol-ProbenecidProben-C

What is colchicine and probenecid?

Colchicine alters the way your body responds to uric acid crystals. Too much uric acid in the body is what leads to the symptoms of gout (swelling and pain).

Probenecid reduces the amount of uric acid in your body by causing it to be passed in your urine.

The colchicine and probenecid combination is used to prevent gout attacks. This medication will not cure gout and it will not stop a gout attack that has already started.

Colchicine and probenecid may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Uses Side Effects Precautions Interactions Overdose
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking colchicine and probenecid?

This medication will not stop a gout attack that has already started. Your doctor may prescribe other medications to treat your gout. Keep taking colchicine and probenecid on a regular schedule, even if you take other gout medications.

Before using colchicine and probenecid, tell your doctor if you have:

  • heart disease;

  • kidney disease or a history of kidney stones;

  • liver disease;

  • a blood disease;

  • stomach problems such as an ulcer or severe intestinal disorder;

  • if you drink large amounts of alcohol; or

  • if you are receiving a cancer treatment, including chemotherapy or radiation.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use colchicine and probenecid, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

Colchicine and probenecid may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether this medication passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using colchicine and probenecid.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this medication.

How should I take colchicine and probenecid?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.

You may take this medicine with food or milk if it upsets your stomach. You may also use an antacid.

You may not notice the effects of this medicine right away. Your gout attacks should occur less often as you continue to take colchicine and probenecid. Taking the medicine for several months may cause the attacks to stop altogether. It is important to use the medication regularly to get the most benefit. Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve.

Drink several full glasses of water every day to prevent kidney stones. Follow your doctor’s instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink each day.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your doctor will need to check your progress on a regular basis. Your kidney function may also need to be tested. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Store colchicine and probenecid at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose of colchicine and probenecid?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Where can I get more information about colchicine and probenecid?
Your pharmacist has information about colchicine and probenecid written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of colchicine and probenecid?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using colchicine and probenecid and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

  • painful urination, severe pain in your lower back or side;

  • easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness; or

  • severe diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain.

Continue using colchicine and probenecid and talk with your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:

  • mild nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite;

  • headache;

  • dizziness;

  • hair loss; or

  • warmth or tingly feeling.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What is the most important information I should know about colchicine and probenecid?

This medication will not stop a gout attack that has already started. Your doctor may prescribe other medications to treat your gout. Keep taking colchicine and probenecid on a regular schedule, even if you take other gout medications.

You may not notice the effects of this medicine right away. Your gout attacks should occur less often as you continue to take colchicine and probenecid. Taking the medicine for several months may cause the attacks to stop altogether. It is important to use the medication regularly to get the most benefit. Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your doctor will need to check your progress on a regular basis. Your kidney function may also need to be tested. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using colchicine and probenecid.

What should I avoid while taking colchicine and probenecid?

Avoid drinking alcohol, which can raise uric acid levels in your blood and may also increase your risk of stomach problems caused by colchicine and probenecid.

What other drugs will affect colchicine and probenecid?

Before taking colchicine and probenecid, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

  • amphotericin B (Fungizone);

  • azathioprine (Imuran);

  • cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan);

  • flucytosine (Ancobon);

  • ganciclovir (Cytovene);

  • heparin;

  • indomethacin (Indocin);

  • interferon (Intron A, Roferon-A);

  • ketoprofen (Orudis);

  • mercaptopurine (Purinethol);

  • methotrexate (Rheumatrex);

  • nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin, Macrobid);

  • phenylbutazone (Butazolidin);

  • plicamycin (Mithracin);

  • zidovudine (Retrovir);

  • salicylates such as aspirin, Disalcid, Doan’s Pills, Dolobid, Pepto-Bismol, Salflex, Tricosal, and others;

  • medicines to treat tuberculosis or viral infections; or

  • medicine to treat overactive thyroid.

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use colchicine and probenecid, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect colchicine and probenecid. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

What happens if I have an overdose of colchicine and probenecid?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Symptoms of a colchicine and probenecid overdose may include blood in your urine, urinating less than usual, heartburn, severe diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fever, severe muscle weakness, mood changes, trouble breathing, seizure (convulsions).

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 2/11/2008