Two medicines, side by side
Allopurinol vs colchicine
Allopurinol and colchicine are both labeled for gout. Drugs@FDA records approvals of allopurinol since 1966 and of colchicine since 2009. Pharmacies paid $0.0315 per allopurinol 100 mg tablet and $0.122 per colchicine 0.6 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, allopurinol is a xanthine oxidase inhibitor and colchicine an alkaloid.
Check it at the source: the allopurinol FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 21, 2026); the colchicine FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 22, 2025).
Highlights of the allopurinol record
Allopurinol (Zyloprim) · label of May 21, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsAllopurinol tablet is indicated for: The management of adults with signs and symptoms of primary or secondary gout (acute attacks, tophi, joint destruction, uric acid lithiasis, and/or nephropathy) The management of adult and pediatric patients with leukemia, lymphoma and solid tumor malignancies who are receiving cancer therapy which causes elevations of serum and urinary uric acid levels The management of adult […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- August 19, 1966
- Generic labelers
- 44 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0315 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 6
Highlights of the colchicine record
Colchicine (Colcrys) · label of July 22, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsColchicine is an alkaloid indicated for: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) in adults and children 4 years or older ( 1.2 ). 1.2 Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) Colchicine tablets are indicated in adults and children four years or older for treatment of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF).
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- July 29, 2009
- Generic labelers
- 30 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.122 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 2
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Allopurinol label of May 21, 2026, Colchicine label of July 22, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do allopurinol and colchicine differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, allopurinol is a xanthine oxidase inhibitor and colchicine an alkaloid.
How each works, in its label's words: Allopurinol, “Allopurinol is a structural analogue of the natural purine base, hypoxanthine.”; Colchicine, “The mechanism by which colchicine exerts its beneficial effect in patients with FMF has not been fully elucidated; however, evidence suggests that colchicine may interfere with the intracellular …”
Generics: allopurinol since 1985; colchicine since 2016 (Drugs@FDA).
| Allopurinol | Colchicine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Gout | Gout |
| Pharmacologic class | Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitor | Alkaloid |
| How it works (label) | Allopurinol is a structural analogue of the natural purine base, hypoxanthine. Allopurinol acts on purine catabolism, without disrupting the biosynthesis of purines. | The mechanism by which colchicine exerts its beneficial effect in patients with FMF has not been fully elucidated; however, evidence suggests that colchicine may interfere with the intracellular assembly of the inflammasome complex present … |
| Half-life (label) | Elimination The half-life of allopurinol and oxipurinol are approximately 1 hour to 2 hours and 15 hours following oral dose of allopurinol, respectively. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | August 19, 1966 | July 29, 2009 |
| First generic approved | December 10, 1985 | September 28, 2016 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 44 labelers | 30 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0315 per tablet (Allopurinol 100 mg tablet) | $0.122 per tablet (Colchicine 0.6 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -20% | -27% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 6 | 2 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 155,998 | 26,198 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
Do their labels mention each other?
Allopurinol label, warnings and precautionsConcurrent prophylactic treatment with colchicine or anti-inflammatory agents is recommended.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to allopurinol
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions