Product News and Recalls

Medication for gout causes death and illness.

November 24, 2008 – Earlier this year, the FDA issued a warning to companies selling a drug called colchicine in injectsble form. Colchicine is an anti-inflammatory commonly used to treat gout and prevent gout attacks. It is approved by the FDA in its oral tablet form. However, some manufacturers have created an injectable version for the treatment of acute cases of gout. Injectable, intravenous colchicine is highly toxic and there is a very narrow margin between a safe and an unsafe dose. Intravenous colchicine can be fatal. As of 2007, more than 23 deaths were reported as a result of the drug. Other side effects include abdominal pain, vomiting, seizures, diminished platelet and blood cell production, and organ failure. The FDA Advisory can be found here.