Drug interactions
Colchicine + Grapefruit
Severity: Moderate
Colchicine and Grapefruit: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Grapefruit juice inhibits intestinal CYP3A4 and can increase colchicine absorption and exposure. The effect is generally modest but could contribute to toxicity in patients with renal or hepatic impairment or on other interacting drugs.
What this interaction means in plain words
Colchicine and Grapefruit can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Why it happens
Grapefruit constituents inhibit intestinal CYP3A4, reducing first-pass metabolism of colchicine.
What to do
Advise patients to avoid large quantities of grapefruit juice while taking colchicine, especially with renal or hepatic impairment. Monitor for toxicity if intake is regular.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Colchicine
- Clarithromycin + Colchicine Contraindicated
- Cobicistat + Colchicine Contraindicated
- Colchicine + Cyclosporine Contraindicated
- Colchicine + Ensitrelvir Contraindicated
- Colchicine + Levoketoconazole Contraindicated
- Colchicine + Nirmatrelvir Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Colchicine with Grapefruit?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Colchicine and Grapefruit can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Grapefruit juice inhibits intestinal CYP3A4 and can increase colchicine absorption and exposure. The effect is generally modest but could contribute to toxicity in patients with renal or hepatic impairment or on other interacting drugs.
How serious is the interaction between Colchicine and Grapefruit?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Advise patients to avoid large quantities of grapefruit juice while taking colchicine, especially with renal or hepatic impairment. Monitor for toxicity if intake is regular.
What other medicines interact with Colchicine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Colchicine with, for example, Clarithromycin, Cobicistat, Cyclosporine. The full list is on the Colchicine page.
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