Colchimax

[CeeJay]

I am in the throes of probably having to have a knee replacement. At the moment knee is swollen quite badly, referred to a specialist who is conducting tests but in the meantime he has prescribed Colchimax twice per day. Looking up this drug on the internet I was very surprised to see that there is a web site devoted to the side effects and not very nice reading either!

I would be grateful to know if anyone has taken this drug and should I be concerned?

[Clarkkent]

I suffer from gout.

In the UK got is treated by dealing with the pain and inflammation - usually by using indomethacin or other NSAID. Gout normally subsides after a day or so and this conservative treatment usually works.

I had a bad gout attack in France and went to the local GP. He was very dismissive of the treatment I had been receiving and prescribed colchicine. He said that colchicine would neutralise the uric acid and that I would recover very quickly.

True to his word, the gout disappeared within 24 hours. However, thanks to colchicine, I had painful stomach cramps and constant diarrhoea for about five days. I wouldn't touch the stuff with a bargepole!

[NormanH]

This is a warning about the which medicines you should not take at the same time, issued by the ANSM (the French agency responsible for surveying the safety of medicines)

http://ansm.sante.fr/S-informer/Points-d-information-Points-d-information/Mise-en-garde-pour-les-specialites-a-base-de-colchicine-Point-d-information

[CeeJay]

Thank you both Clarkkent and Norman, the bargepole advice seems particularly apt and I will certainly go along with that. Presumably I shall now have to go back and ask for a substitute product.........I bet he won't be happy about that!