Colchicine and Rosuvastatin: 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
Rosuvastatin
Colchicine
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 rosuvastatin (Crestor) and colchicine can, on their own, sometimes affect your muscles. When you take them together, that risk can add up. The main thing to watch for is muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially in the first few weeks or whenever either dose is changed. In rare cases, serious muscle breakdown (called rhabdomyolysis) can occur.
Here's the reassuring part: this concern is based mostly on theory, and many people take these two safely together when needed. Your care team can manage it by keeping an eye on your muscles and, if needed, adjusting a dose. Just tell your pharmacist or doctor right away if you notice new or unusual muscle aches.
Effect: Additive risk of myopathy/rhabdomyolysis with concurrent colchicine and rosuvastatin. Both agents are independently associated with myotoxicity; the specific PK mechanism here is unknown, and evidence is theoretical. Neither is a prodrug affecting this interpretation.
- Direction: Increased myotoxic risk (additive).
- Onset: Unspecified; highest vigilance at initiation and dose titration of either drug.
- Management: Coadministration reasonable when indicated. Monitor for muscle pain/tenderness/weakness and CK. Consider colchicine dose reduction in renal impairment. Interrupt therapy in acute conditions predisposing to renal failure or myopathy. Discontinue either agent for markedly elevated CK or confirmed/suspected myopathy.
What happens
An increased risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis
Interaction Deep Dive
Taking colchicine together with rosuvastatin can raise the likelihood of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. It is acceptable to give the two agents together when there is a clinical indication, provided patients are watched for signs and symptoms of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis, especially when treatment is started and when either medication is titrated. In individuals with renal impairment, a lower colchicine dose should be considered; therapy should be paused for acute, serious conditions indicative of myopathy or those that predispose to renal failure, and either rosuvastatin or colchicine should be stopped if CK levels rise markedly or if myopathy is suspected or diagnosed. Weigh whether the advantage of combining colchicine with rosuvastatin/ezetimibe justifies the heightened risk of myopathy/rhabdomyolysis1234.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Unknown
How to manage this interaction
You can usually keep taking both when your prescriber decides they're needed. The focus is on watching your muscles and catching problems early.
- Keep taking both as prescribed unless your care team tells you otherwise.
- Report promptly: new muscle pain, tenderness, weakness, or dark-colored urine, especially soon after starting or after any dose change.
- Your team may monitor you more closely, including checking muscle enzyme (CK) blood levels.
- If you have kidney problems, mention it, as your colchicine dose may need to be adjusted and individualized.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor before stopping or changing either medicine.
Management is individual — confirm any change with your pharmacist or prescriber.
Literature reports
2 reports — tap to read
a) In a distinct analysis of the LoDoCo2 trial, numerically more patients on combined rosuvastatin and colchicine 0.5 mg/day (n=251) than on rosuvastatin alone (n=261) had creatine kinase (CK) levels ranging from 191 to 285 units/L (below 1.5x ULN; 16.3% vs 10%); furthermore, a greater number of patients taking any statin concurrently (n=841) had elevated CK levels compared with those on placebo (n=832; 190 vs 146 patients). These differences were not statistically significant. No patient exhibited more than mild renal impairment (every patient had an estimated GFR of 50 mL/min/1.73 m(2) or higher). The authors advise considering interruption or discontinuation of colchicine in patients with elevated CK or signs of myotoxicity 1.
b) The American Heart Association indicates that using rosuvastatin and colchicine together is reasonable when clinically warranted. Colchicine dose reductions may be considered for patients with renal impairment. Monitoring for muscle-related signs and symptoms of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis is advised 4.
Common questions
Can I take Colchicine and Rosuvastatin together?
Taking rosuvastatin and colchicine together can add to the risk of muscle problems, so watch for muscle pain or weakness and report it, but your care team can manage this safely with monitoring and dose adjustments. Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Colchicine and Rosuvastatin 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 Colchicine and Rosuvastatin interaction managed?
You can usually keep taking both when your prescriber decides they're needed. The focus is on watching your muscles and catching problems early. Keep taking both as prescribed unless your care team tells you otherwise. Report promptly: new muscle pain, tenderness, weakness, or dark-colored urine, especially soon after starting or after any dose change. Your team may monitor you more closely, inclu… 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 Colchicine or Rosuvastatin 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)
- van Broekhoven A, Eikelboom JW, Nidorf SM, et al: Elevations in creatine kinase are not related to the choice or dose of statins in patients taking colchicine 0.5 mg daily: insights from the LoDoCo2 trial. Clin Drug Investig 2023; 43(7):575-577. PubMed
- Product Information: ROSZET oral tablets, rosuvastatin ezetimibe oral tablets. Althera Pharmaceuticals LLC (per FDA), Morristown, NJ, 2021.
- Product Information: CRESTOR(R) oral tablets, rosuvastatin calcium oral tablets. AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP (per FDA), Wilmington, DE, 2024. 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
Keep reading about Rosuvastatin
Keep reading about Colchicine
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