Colchicine is used for the relief of acute gout for the prophylaxis of acute attacks, particularly during the first few months of treatment with allopurinol or uricosurics. Colchicine produces a dramatic response in acute gout, probably by reducing the inflammatory reaction to urate crystals; this effect might be due to several actions including decreased leucocyte mobility. It is not an analgesic and has no effect on blood concentrations of uric acid, or on the excretion of uric acid. Colchicine also has an antimitotic action. Colchicine has also been used in several other conditions including amyloidosis, Behçet's syndrome, familial Mediterranean fever, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, pericarditis, primary biliary cirrhosis, and pyoderma gangrenosum. Although colchicine 1 mg orally, followed by 500 micrograms every 2 to 3 hours, is recommended for the treatment of acute gout, many rheumatologists consider this excessive a low-dose regimen of 500 micrograms no more than 3 times daily has been advocated in preference.
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