Skip to content

Drug interactions

Colchicine + Vemurafenib

Severity: Major

Colchicine and Vemurafenib: major interaction.

Last updated Sources: EMA SmPC

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

Vemurafenib may inhibit P-glycoprotein and raise colchicine concentrations. Increased colchicine exposure can cause serious or fatal toxicity, particularly in patients with renal or hepatic impairment.

What this interaction means in plain words

Colchicine and Vemurafenib can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.

Colchicine belongs to Genitourinary; Vemurafenib belongs to Oncology.

Evidence level: Low

Why it happens

Vemurafenib is a P-glycoprotein inhibitor that may decrease colchicine efflux and clearance.

What to do

Avoid the combination where possible; if needed, reduce the colchicine dose per labeling and monitor for GI, neuromuscular and hematologic toxicity. Do not use in renal or hepatic impairment.

What to ask your pharmacist

  • Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
  • Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
  • What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

Pro+ members

Unlock the full page

Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Colchicine and Vemurafenib, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.

  • Full clinical management advice
  • Additional notes
  • Evidence detail
  • Interaction checker for a whole prescription

Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.

References

Frequently asked questions

Can I take Colchicine with Vemurafenib?

MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Colchicine and Vemurafenib can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Vemurafenib may inhibit P-glycoprotein and raise colchicine concentrations. Increased colchicine exposure can cause serious or fatal toxicity, particularly in patients with renal or hepatic impairment.

How serious is the interaction between Colchicine and Vemurafenib?

MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid the combination where possible; if needed, reduce the colchicine dose per labeling and monitor for GI, neuromuscular and hematologic toxicity. Do not use in renal or hepatic impairment.

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.

Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app

Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.

Browse A–Z · Drug interactions

Get the app Sign in