Clofibrate and Colchicine: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · AI content regenerated Jul 11, 2026 · Source data updated Jul 2, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Colchicine
Clofibrate
No brand names on record
How we grade severity & evidence
Severity levels
- Contraindicated: These should generally not be used together.
- Major: Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
- Moderate: Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
- Minor: Usually limited clinical impact.
Evidence grades
- Established: Well documented — supported by controlled studies or strong clinical data.
- Probable: Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
- Suspected: Some evidence suggests this interaction, but it is not well established.
- Possible: Limited or conflicting evidence; the interaction may occur.
- Theoretical: Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Ratings come from the documented interaction literature and are reviewed by a pharmacist. They describe the documented risk of the combination, not what will necessarily happen to you — your dose, timing, and health picture all matter.
Both colchicine (used for gout and pericarditis) and clofibrate (a fibrate that lowers cholesterol and triglycerides) can, on their own, occasionally irritate your muscles. When they are taken together, that muscle risk may add up. In rare cases this can lead to a serious problem called rhabdomyolysis, where muscle tissue breaks down.
The main thing to watch for is new or unusual muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness. This risk is higher if you are older or have kidney problems. The good news is your care team can manage this by watching you closely, especially when you start or increase your dose. Keep taking both as prescribed and tell your doctor or pharmacist right away if your muscles start to ache.
Effect: Additive risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis with concomitant colchicine and clofibrate (a fibrate). Neither is a prodrug here; the concern is an overlapping pharmacodynamic muscle-toxicity signal rather than a defined PK pathway.
- Mechanism: Unknown; presumed additive myotoxicity.
- Evidence: Theoretical, supported by case reports of myopathy/rhabdomyolysis with colchicine plus fibrates.
- Onset: Unspecified; watch at initiation and during upward colchicine titration.
- Risk factors: Elderly, renal impairment.
- Management: Weigh benefit vs risk. Monitor for muscle pain, tenderness, weakness. Note CPK monitoring may not prevent severe myopathy, so clinical vigilance is key.
What happens
An increased risk of myopathy, including rhabdomyolysis
Interaction Deep Dive
Exercise caution2. Taking colchicine together with fibrates can raise the likelihood of myopathy, including rhabdomyolysis, particularly among elderly individuals and those with impaired renal function. When such combined use cannot be avoided, tracking creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels may fail to prevent a serious myopathy from arising; for this reason, watch the patient closely for indications of myopathy (muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness), particularly during treatment 1. Reports of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis have occurred when colchicine is combined with fibrates. Weigh whether the advantage of administering colchicine alongside fenofibrate justifies the elevated risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. Should combined use be chosen, observe patients for signs and symptoms of myopathy while titrating the colchicine dose upward 3.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Unknown
How to manage this interaction
Your care team can manage this combination safely with close attention.
- Keep taking both exactly as prescribed unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
- Watch for symptoms: report new muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness promptly, especially soon after starting or when your colchicine dose is increased.
- Your team may monitor you more closely and consider whether the benefit outweighs the risk, particularly if you are older or have reduced kidney function.
- Blood tests (CPK) can be checked, but symptoms are the most important warning sign, so speak up about muscle changes.
Raise any concerns with your pharmacist or prescriber.
Management is individual — confirm any change with your pharmacist or prescriber.
Literature reports
2 reports — tap to read
a) Instances of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis have been documented when colchicine was used together with fenofibrate 32.
b) A 40-year-old man who had been maintained on colchicine 0.5 mg orally every 8 hours for roughly 3 years developed rhabdomyolysis after gemfibrozil 600 mg every 12 hours was added to his regimen. His past medical history comprised amyloidosis, hepatitis B-related chronic liver disease, nephrotic syndrome, and hypertriglyceridemia. He presented with fatigue, poor appetite, dark-colored urine, and muscle pain that had persisted for 2 weeks. Notable laboratory results included creatine kinase (CK) of 3559 Units/L (normal 26 to 174 Units/L), urea 108 (normal 10 to 50 mg/dL), creatinine 2.6 (normal 0.7 to 1.5 mg/dL), ALT 165 (normal 10 to 42 Units/L), AST 232 (normal 10 to 42 Units/L), LDH 450 (normal 42 to 128 Units/L) and potassium 6.0 (normal 3.5 to 5.5 mEq/L). All of his medications (he had additionally been taking essential amino acid tablets and calcitriol) were stopped, he was adequately hydrated, and he subsequently improved by day 4. His muscle pain stabilized by day 9. Colchicine and amino acids were resumed and the patient was discharged 4.
Common questions
Can I take Clofibrate and Colchicine together?
Taking colchicine with clofibrate may add up to a higher risk of muscle injury, so keep taking both as prescribed but report any new muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness to your care team right away. Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Clofibrate and Colchicine interaction?
It is rated major. Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
How quickly could this interaction happen?
The documented onset is "unspecified". The timing of this interaction is not well characterized.
How is the Clofibrate and Colchicine interaction managed?
Your care team can manage this combination safely with close attention. Keep taking both exactly as prescribed unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Watch for symptoms: report new muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness promptly, especially soon after starting or when your colchicine dose is increased. Your team may monitor you more closely and consider whether the benefit outweighs the risk, parti… Management is individual — always follow your own care team's guidance.
How strong is the evidence for this interaction?
The evidence is graded "theoretical". Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Clofibrate or Colchicine need adjusting while I take them together?
- What symptoms should prompt me to call you or my prescriber right away?
- Does the timing of my doses matter for this combination?
- Is there a safer alternative to one of these medications for me?
References (4)
- Product Information: COLCRYS oral tablets, colchicine oral tablets. Takeda Pharmaceuticals America Inc (per FDA), Deerfield, IL, 2020. DailyMed
- Product Information: TRILIPIX oral delayed-release capsules, fenofibric acid oral delayed-release capsules. AbbVie Inc (per FDA), North Chicago, IL, 2021. DailyMed
- Product Information: TRIGLIDE(R) oral tablets, fenofibrate oral tablets. Casper Pharma LLC (per FDA), East Brunswick, NJ, 2024. DailyMed
- Atmaca H, Sayarlioglu H, Kulah E, et al: Rhabdomyolysis associated with gemfibrozil-colchicine therapy. Ann Pharmacother 2002; 36(11):1719-1721. PubMed
Keep reading about Colchicine
Keep reading about Clofibrate
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