Colchicine and Fluvastatin: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Colchicine
Fluvastatin
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.
What happens
An increased risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis
Interaction Deep Dive
Coadministration of colchicine and fluvastatin may result in myopathy and rhabdomyolysis4. Myopathy and rhabdomyolysis were reported when colchicine was given to treat gout in a patient receiving fluvastatin. CYP450 inhibition and synergistic myotoxicity were 2 possible mechanisms proposed by the authors in the case report 5. Consider if the benefits of using colchicine concomitantly with fluvastatin outweighs the increased risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis 1. Coadministration is reasonable when clinically indicated, with monitoring for signs/symptoms of myopathy/rhabdomyolysis (muscle pain, tenderness, weakness); may consider dose reductions for colchicine in patients with renal impairment 3. Monitor creatine kinase and urine myoglobin levels and discontinue therapy if myopathy or rhabdomyolysis is diagnosed or suspected 5.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Unknown
Literature reports
3 reports — tap to read
a) The American Heart Association states that concurrent usage of fluvastatin and colchicine is reasonable when clinically indicated. Dose reductions may be considered for colchicine should be considered for patients with renal impairment. Monitoring for muscle-related signs and symptoms of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis is recommended 3.
b) A 70-year-old man receiving fluvastatin (80 mg/day for 2 years) for hyperlipidemia developed myopathy and rhabdomyolysis after he took colchicine for gout. After receiving 10 days of colchicine 1.5 mg/day, the patient was admitted to the hospital with a 3-day history of stomach ache and nausea followed by severe pain and weakness in his arms and legs. The patient had diffuse muscle tenderness, proximal muscle weakness, a delayed relaxation of deep-tendon reflexes, and polyphasic action potentials (consistent with myopathy) on electromyography. On admission, the patient had a creatine kinase (CK) of 37,782 units/L, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) of 856 units/L, and a serum myoglobin of 4375 ng/mL. The patient also had nonoliguric myoglobinuric acute renal failure with a serum potassium of 6.3 mEq/L, urea of 141 mg/dL, serum creatinine of 3.8 mg/dL, and a urine myoglobin of 110 ng/mL. Colchicine and fluvastatin were discontinued and the patient received intraarticular steroid injections for his acute gouty arthritis and intravenous fluids with normal saline. CK, AST, potassium, and serum and urine myoglobin levels normalized and the patient was discharged after 19 days. Although his serum creatinine remained elevated (1.4 mg/dL) from baseline (0.9 mg/dL) at discharge, the patient's renal function was normal two months later. Fluvastatin was restarted when the CK level normalized. The authors proposed two mechanisms for the colchicine and fluvastatin interaction including CYP450 inhibition (although both drugs are metabolized by different CYP450 isoenzymes) and synergistic myotoxicity (colchicine causes disruption of tubular function with vacuolization and fluvastatin causes myonecrosis, membranous myeloid bodies, and vacuolization) 5.
c) Isolated cases of myopathy have been reported with concomitant use of fluvastatin and colchicine during post-marketing surveillance. However, the pharmacokinetic interaction between fluvastatin and colchicine is unknown. Myotoxicity, including muscle weakness and rhabdomyolysis, have also been reported with concomitant use 2.
Common questions
Can I take Colchicine and Fluvastatin together?
An increased risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Colchicine and Fluvastatin interaction?
It is rated moderate. Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
How quickly could this interaction happen?
The documented onset is "delayed". Effects tend to build up gradually over days to weeks.
How strong is the evidence for this interaction?
The evidence is graded "probable". Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Colchicine or Fluvastatin 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 anything you'd monitor while I'm on both?
References (5)
- Product Information: Lescol(R) XL oral extended release tablets, fluvastatin sodium oral extended release tablets. Sandoz, Inc.(per FDA), Princeton, NJ, 2023. DailyMed
- Product Information: Lescol(R) oral capsules, fluvastatin sodium oral capsules. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation (per FDA), East Hanover, NJ, 2012. DailyMed
- Wiggins BS, Saseen JJ, Page RL, et al: Recommendations for management of clinically significant drug-drug interactions with statins and select agents used in patients with cardiovascular disease: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation 2016; 134(21):e468-e495. PubMed
- Product Information: COLCRYS(TM) oral tablets, colchicine oral tablets. Mutual Pharmaceutical Company, Philadelphia, PA, 2009. DailyMed
- Atasoyu EM, Evrenkaya TR, & Solmazgul E: Possible colchicine rhabdomyolysis in a fluvastatin-treated patient. Ann Pharmacother 2005; 39(7-8):1368-1369. PubMed
Keep reading about Colchicine
Keep reading about Fluvastatin
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