Lodoco (colchicine) is used for cardiovascular disease to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, cardiac stenting, coronary artery bypass graft, and cardiovascular death. Lodoco can be used by adult patients who have a known buildup of plaque inside the arteries (atherosclerotic disease) or have other risk factors for cardiovascular disease.  Lodoco is the first anti-inflammatory atheroprotective cardiovascular treatment to be FDA-approved. 

Inflammation plays a significant role in the formation of atherosclerotic plaques and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD), the condition where the arteries become narrowed and hardened due to the buildup of plaque, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes, and other cardiovascular events.  Lodoco works as an anti-inflammatory to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by targeting the inflammatory pathways involved in major cardiac events. 

Other brands of colchicine are used to treat different conditions.

Colcrys is FDA-approved for the prevention and treatment of acute gout flares and also for use in patients 4 years and older with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). Mitigare is FDA-approved to prevent gout flares.

Serious drug interactions can occur when certain medicines are used together with Lodoco. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all medicines you use now, and any medicine you start or stop using.

Before taking Lodoco, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, heart disease, a stomach ulcer, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, intestinal bleeding, or any other severe gastrointestinal disorder.

If you take Lodoco over a long period of time, your blood may need to be tested regularly. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as muscle pain or weakness, numbness or tingly feeling in your fingers or toes, severe vomiting or diarrhea, easy bruising or bleeding, feeling weak or tired, flu symptoms, blood in your urine, urinating less than usual or not at all, or a pale or gray appearance of your lips, tongue, or hands.

Take Lodoco exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Lodoco is usually taken one time a day and can be taken with or without food.

If you use this medicine long-term, you may need frequent medical tests.

Lodoco is available as a 0.5mg tablet.

The recommended dose is one tablet daily (0.5mg)

For more detailed dosing information click the link below.

You should not use Lodoco if you are allergic to colchicine.

Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with Lodoco, especially if you have liver or kidney disease. Your doctor may need to change your treatment plan if you use any of the following drugs:

• cyclosporine;
• nefazodone;
• tipranavir;
• clarithromycin or telithromycin;
• itraconazole or ketoconazole; or
• HIV or AIDS medicine - atazanavir, darunavir, fosamprenavir, indinavir, lopinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, or saquinavir.

To make sure Lodoco is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• liver disease;
• kidney disease; or
• if you take digoxin, or cholesterol-lowering medications.

Pregnancy

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Lodoco may cause temporary fertility problems in males. This may affect your ability to father a child. Talk to your healthcare provider if this is a concern for you.

Breastfeeding

Talk to your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. Colchicine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby.  Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby during treatment with Lodoco.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of colchicine can be fatal.

Overdose symptoms may include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, muscle weakness, little or no urinating, numbness or tingling, weak pulse, slow heart rate, weak or shallow breathing, or fainting.

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with colchicine and lead to unwanted side effects. Avoid the use of grapefruit products while taking.

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

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• muscle pain or weakness;
• numbness or tingly feeling in your fingers or toes;
• pale or gray appearance of your lips, tongue, or hands;
• severe or ongoing vomiting or diarrhea;
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms; or
• easy bruising, unusual bleeding, feeling weak or tired.

Common Lodoco side effects may include:

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

Lodoco may cause temporary fertility problems in males. This may affect your ability to father a child. Talk to your healthcare provider if this is a concern for you. 

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Many drugs can interact with Lodoco, and some drugs should not be used together. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide. Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with this medicine. Give a list of all your medicines to any healthcare provider who treats you.

To check for interactions with Lodoco, click the link below.