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colchicine vs norethindrone

Side-by-side comparison of colchicine and norethindrone. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

minor Known Drug Interaction

Drug Interactions: Pharmacokinetic Parameters for Colchicine Tablets in the Presence of the Coadministered Drug Coadministered Drug Dose of Coadministered Drug (mg) Dose of Colchicine Tablets (mg) N % Change in Colchicine Concentrations from Baseline (Range: Min – Max) C max AUC 0-t Cyclosporine 100 mg single dose 0.6 mg single dose 23 270.0 (62.0 to 606.9) 259.0 (75.8 to 511.9) Clarithromycin 250 mg twice daily, 7 days 0.6 mg single dose 23 227.2 (65.7 to 591.1) 281.5 (88.7 to 851.6) Ketoconazole 200 mg twice daily, 5 days 0.6 mg single dose 24 101.7 (19.6 to 219.0) 212.2 (76.7 to 419.6)...

Recommendation: You can typically take these medications together without any dose changes. Continue to follow your doctor's instructions for both.

Drug Class
colchicine Anti-Gout Agent
norethindrone Progestin-Only Oral Contraceptive
Type
colchicine Prescription
norethindrone Prescription
Summary
colchicine

Colchicine is a medicine used to prevent or treat gout flares and Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF). It works by reducing inflammation and pain.

norethindrone

Camila and Errin are progestin-only birth control pills. They help prevent pregnancy.

What It Treats
colchicine

Colchicine is used to prevent and treat gout flares in adults. Gout flares cause sudden, severe pain, redness, and swelling in your joints. Colchicine is also used to treat Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) in adults and children ages 4 and older. FMF causes recurring fevers and pain in the abdomen, chest, or joints.

norethindrone

These pills are used to prevent pregnancy. They are a type of oral contraceptive, also known as birth control pills. When taken correctly, birth control pills are very effective at preventing pregnancy.

How It Works
colchicine

Colchicine reduces inflammation in the body. It does this by blocking certain processes that cause swelling and pain. This helps to relieve gout flares and manage FMF symptoms.

norethindrone

Camila and Errin contain a progestin hormone. This hormone prevents pregnancy by stopping ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary). It also thickens cervical mucus, making it harder for sperm to reach the egg.

Common Side Effects
colchicine
  • Diarrhea
  • Abdominal pain
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
norethindrone
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Gastrointestinal symptoms (like cramps and bloating)
  • Breakthrough bleeding or spotting
  • Changes in menstrual flow
FAERS Reports
colchicine
  • Diarrhea 2,661
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 1,940
  • Feeling very tired 1,745
  • Difficulty breathing 1,466
  • Sudden damage to the kidneys 1,436
norethindrone
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 449
  • Pain in your head 424
  • Sudden feeling of warmth 370
  • Feeling tired 322
  • Aching or soreness 308
Serious Warnings
colchicine

Taking too much colchicine can be fatal in both adults and children. Keep this medicine out of the reach of children. Colchicine can also cause serious blood problems and muscle weakness. Certain medicines can interact with colchicine and cause life-threatening problems. Talk to your doctor about all the medicines you take.

norethindrone

Cigarette smoking increases your risk of serious heart problems from birth control pills. This risk is higher if you are over 35 and smoke. You should not take this medication if you are over 35 and smoke.

Pregnancy
colchicine

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Colchicine may harm your unborn baby. It is not known if colchicine passes into breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking colchicine while breastfeeding.

norethindrone

These pills should not be taken if you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant. Talk to your doctor about other birth control options if you are breastfeeding.

How to Read This colchicine vs norethindrone Comparison

colchicine is classified in the Anti-Gout Agent drug class, while norethindrone sits within the Progestin-Only Oral Contraceptive class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, colchicine has 9,248 submissions while norethindrone has 1,873. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to there is no known significant interaction between these two medications. they do not interfere with how each other is processed by the body.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between colchicine and norethindrone - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.

Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.