potentially fatal interaction between colchicine and some macrolides

October 2005

There's concern about a potentially fatal interaction between colchicine and some macrolides.

Erythromycin and clarithromycin (Biaxin) can INCREASE colchicine levels by inhibiting CYP3A4...and also P-glycoprotein.

CYP3A4 metabolizes colchicine to inactive metabolites.

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