Compare Allopurinol vs. Colcrys

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.

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Zyloprim (allopurinol)

Prescription only

Colcrys (colchicine)

Prescription only
Lowers uric acid levels in blood, and prevents gout flare-ups.

Zyloprim (allopurinol) works well to prevent gout attacks and is cheaper than some alternatives, but it takes a few weeks to start working.

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3.7/ 5 average rating with 21 reviewsforAllopurinol
Prevents and treats gout.

Colcrys (colchicine) is a second-choice treatment for gout attacks. Be careful how much you use since it can cause problems with your blood.

Upsides
  • Zyloprim (allopurinol) works well to lower uric acid in the body.
  • It is available as a generic medication.
  • Colcrys (colchicine) treats and stops sudden gout attacks.
  • It can be used to prevent gout when people are first starting on allopurinol.
  • Colcrys (colchicine) also treats Familial Mediterranean fever.
Downsides
  • Zyloprim (allopurinol) can raise the number of gout attacks in the first few weeks.
  • It can take 2 to 6 weeks to feel the full effects of Zyloprim (allopurinol).
  • Kidney stones can form while taking Zyloprim (allopurinol), so you need to drink a lot of fluids to help prevent this.
  • Colcrys (colchicine) doesn't work as well as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or corticosteroids to treat gout attacks.
  • Taking Colcrys (colchicine) for too long can cause problems with your blood.
  • Doses needs to be changed if you have kidney or liver problems.
  • While Colcrys (colchicine) stops the redness and swelling of gout attacks, it doesn't stop the pain.
  • If you're taking Colcrys (colchicine) to stop gout flare-ups, you can only use it for 3 to 6 months after your levels have stabilized.
  • The capsules (Mitigare) are only approved for prevention, but not treatment of gout.
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Used for
Dosage forms
  • Pill
  • Injection
  • Pill
Price
Lowest price
$823.93
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Lowest price
$123.00
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Reviews
21 reviews so far
71%
saidit'sworth it
52%
saiditworked well
5%
saidit'sa big hassle

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Side effects
The Zyloprim (allopurinol) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
5possible side effects
  • Stomach problems
    26%
  • Diarrhea
    23%
  • Nausea
    4%
  • Gout
    4%
  • Throat pain
    3%
See more detailed side effects
Risks and risk factors
  • More gout attacks
  • Kidney stones
    • History of kidney stones
  • Skin rash
  • Liver disease
  • Sleepiness or dizziness
    • Taking other medications that also cause sleepiness
    • Recreational drug use
    • Excessive alcohol use
    • Elderly
See more detailed risks and warnings
  • Blood disorders
  • Death from overdose
  • Food and medicine interactions
    • Grapefruit
    • Grapefruit juice
    • Protease inhibitors
    • Antifungal antibiotics
    • Calcium channel blockers
    • Cyclosporine
    • Anti-cholesterol medicines
    • Digoxin
  • Muscle pain and breakdown
    • Kidney problems
    • Elderly
    • Use of statins or cholesterol medications
    • Use of cyclosporine
See more detailed risks and warnings
Learn more about Zyloprim (allopurinol)
Learn more about Colcrys (colchicine)