Colchicine is a generic prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to:

  • prevent and treat gout flare-ups in adults
  • treat a genetic condition called familial Mediterranean fever in adults and in children ages 4 years and older

For more information about colchicine’s uses, refer to this article.

Drug details

Here are some details on colchicine:

  • Drug class: uric acid (anti-gout)
  • Drug forms:
    • oral tablet
    • oral capsule
    • oral solution
    • powder that’s mixed with liquid to form an oral solution
  • Brand-name versions:
    • Colcrys
    • Gloperba
    • Mitigare

Read on to learn about colchicine and cost, as well as how to save money on prescriptions.

As with all medications, the cost of colchicine can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include your treatment plan, your insurance coverage, and the pharmacy you use.

To find out what the cost of colchicine will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and colchicine.

How much does the 0.6-mg strength of colchicine tablets cost?

The cost of your colchicine will vary based on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage, and the pharmacy you use. Colchicine tablets only come in one strength of 0.6 milligrams (mg).

If you have questions about how much colchicine may cost per pill, talk with your pharmacist or insurance provider.

Why did the price of colchicine increase?

The costs of healthcare, including medications, have risen steadily over the past few decades. Colchicine prices have followed this trend, and there was a major price increase in the early 2010s. Since then, colchicine prices have been fairly consistent through 2020.

If you have questions about the cost of colchicine, you can talk with your pharmacist, doctor, or insurance provider.

What’s the price of colchicine without insurance?

It’s likely that the cost of your colchicine will be higher without insurance than with insurance. The cost will also vary based on the pharmacy you use and your treatment plan.

If you have questions about the cost of colchicine, talk with your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Colchicine is a generic drug, which means it’s an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. A generic drug is considered to be as safe and effective as the brand-name drug. And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

Colchicine is available as the brand-name drugs Colcrys, Gloperba, and Mitigare. If your doctor has prescribed colchicine and you’re interested in using a brand-name form instead, talk with your doctor. They may have a preference for one version or the other. You’ll also need to check with your insurance provider, as it may only cover one or the other.

To find out how the cost of these brand-name versions compares with the cost of generic colchicine, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

If you need help lowering the long-term costs of colchicine, below are some options to consider.

Getting a 3-month supply

You may be able to get a 90-day supply of colchicine. If approved by your insurance company, getting a 90-day supply of the drug could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor or insurance provider.

Using a mail-order pharmacy

Colchicine may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using this type of service may help lower the drug’s cost and allow you to receive your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order medications. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug via mail order.

If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.

If you need financial support to pay for colchicine, consider looking into websites that offer cost resources and information. Two such organizations are:

These sites can provide details on drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services.

Now that you’ve learned about cost and colchicine, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance on cost issues related to you and colchicine. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’ll pay for colchicine.

Here are some other resources you may find helpful:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.