A sufficient colchicines dose is determined by the condition it is being used to treat and the age of the patient being treated. The dosage that is required for prevention of flares of gout is also lower than that taken to treat acute flares of gout. The correct colchicine dose for gout treatment in adults is 1.2 milligrams (mg) followed by 0.6 mg after one hour. If the treatment is being taken preventively, 0.6 mg once or twice daily is suitable. The adult dosage for familial Mediterranean fever is 1.2 to 2.4 mg per day, and this is lower in children aged under 12.
Colchicine is classed as an anti-gout agent, and its primary usage is for the treatment of gout. Gout is characterized by pain and swelling in the joints as a result of a uric acid build-up in the affected area. The crystals formed by the uric acid are believed to be reduced by a colchicines dose. The drug can also be used to treat familial Mediterranean fever, which is a genetic condition that causes swelling and pain in the stomach, joints, and lungs. Colchicine does not generally relieve pain, but it can reduce pain associated with the swelling common in gout and familial Mediterranean fever.
The condition that the patient is suffering from and his or her age are the two most important factors affecting the correct colchicine dose. Generally, gout does not affect children, but familial Mediterranean fever can occur at any age from four onwards. Even patients with kidney or liver problems do not necessarily require a reduced dosage of the drug, although they should be monitored closely by a doctor to ensure that no adverse reactions take place. The doctor can then determine if a reduced colchicines dose would be beneficial.
Treatment of flares of gout using colchicine has a fairly regimented dosage. As mentioned above, when symptoms begin, patients should take an initial 1.2 mg colchicine dose, and then a final 0.6 mg dose can be taken one hour later. No more than 1.8 mg should be taken over a one hour period.
Using a colchicine dose to treat familial Mediterranean fever requires a slightly different amount of the drug. In children over 12 years old and adults will likely take the generally recommended dosage: between 1.2 and 2.4 mg of colchicine, as directed by a medical professional. The dosage can be increased by 0.3 mg per day if the drug isn’t effective at the current dose, up to 2.4 mg. Children between four and six years old should only take a smaller colchicine dose, between 0.3 and 1.8 mg, and children between six and 12 should take 0.6 to 1.8 mg per day.