Two medicines, side by side
Colchicine vs naproxen
Colchicine and naproxen are both labeled for gout. Drugs@FDA records approvals of colchicine since 2009 and of naproxen since 1976. Pharmacies paid $0.122 per colchicine 0.6 mg tablet and $0.0565 per naproxen 500 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, colchicine is an alkaloid and naproxen a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
Check it at the source: the colchicine FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 22, 2025); the naproxen FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 12, 2026).
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
Highlights of the naproxen record
Naproxen (Aleve) · label of March 12, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationstemporarily relieves minor aches and pains due to: minor pain of arthritis muscular aches backache menstrual cramps headache toothache the common cold temporarily reduces fever
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- March 11, 1976
- Generic labelers
- 139 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0565 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 8
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Colchicine label of July 22, 2025, Naproxen label of March 12, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do colchicine and naproxen differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, colchicine is an alkaloid and naproxen a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
Only the naproxen label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: colchicine since 2016; naproxen since 1992 (Drugs@FDA).
| Colchicine | Naproxen | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Gout | Fever, Rheumatoid arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Gout, Pain, Cough and cold |
| Pharmacologic class | Alkaloid | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug |
| How it works (label) | 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 … | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | July 29, 2009 | March 11, 1976 |
| First generic approved | September 28, 2016 | October 30, 1992 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 30 labelers | 139 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.122 per tablet (Colchicine 0.6 mg tablet) | $0.0565 per tablet (Naproxen 500 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -27% | -9% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 2 | 8 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 26,198 | 142,225 |
| 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)
What do the labels say about using others of their kind?
Naproxen label, drug interactions (prescription label)Concomitant use of naproxen with other NSAIDs or salicylates (e.g., diflunisal, salsalate) increases the risk of GI toxicity, with little or no increase in efficacy [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 ) ].
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to colchicine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions