Colchicine & Nutrient Depletion
Also searched as Colsalide Improved, Mitigare, Colcrys. What the clinical evidence reports, what it may mean, and what to discuss with your pharmacist.
Colchicine has been associated with depletion of BETA-CAROTENE and VITAMIN B12. This does not mean a deficiency will occur — it means these are worth knowing about and, if you take Colchicine long-term, worth raising with your pharmacist or healthcare provider.
Take more than one medication? Open the checker with Colchicine pre-loaded and add the rest to see overlapping nutrient signals.
Reported nutrient depletions with Colchicine
Each record below is shown as published in our licensed clinical database, with its evidence rating and citations. Expand a section for food sources and talking points.
BETA-CAROTENE
Insignificant DepletionCOLCHICINE
Limited evidence suggests that short-term treatment with colchicine 1.9-3.9 mg daily can reduce absorption and serum levels of beta-carotene. Theoretically. this is due to disruption of intestinal mucosal function. Long-term use of 1 to 2 mg daily does not affect beta-carotene levels. Advise patients that this is unlikely to be clinically significant.
Beta-carotene is a pigment found in colorful vegetables that your body converts into vitamin A, which supports healthy vision, skin, and immune function. At higher doses used short-term, colchicine can mildly interfere with the gut lining's ability to absorb nutrients, and some studies showed a small dip in beta-carotene levels. That said, people taking the typical long-term dose of 1 to 2 mg daily do not appear to see any meaningful change, and this is generally considered an insignificant concern for most patients. No action is needed for the majority of people, but if you have questions about your diet or any supplements, your pharmacist is a great place to start.
What Vitamin A does & food sources
Vitamin A supports vision, immune function, and skin health.
Common food sources:
- Liver and fish oils
- Dairy and eggs
- Orange and yellow vegetables (as beta-carotene)
- Leafy greens
HelloPharmacist pharmacist-reviewed education — separate from the licensed record above.
What to discuss with your clinician
Ask your provider before supplementing vitamin A — status testing is not routine, and intake from food plus multivitamins is often already adequate.
HelloPharmacist pharmacist-reviewed education — separate from the licensed record above.
Supplement considerations
Vitamin A is fat-soluble and accumulates; excess is harmful (and dangerous in pregnancy). Prefer food sources unless a clinician advises otherwise.
Do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance — supplements can interact with prescription medications.
HelloPharmacist pharmacist-reviewed education — separate from the licensed record above.
Caution: Avoid high-dose vitamin A in pregnancy or when trying to conceive unless a clinician directs it.
Learn more about this nutrient: Beta-carotene — uses, safety & interactions
References (2)
- Race TF, Paes IC, Faloon WW. Intestinal malabsorption induced by oral colchicine. Comparison with neomycin and cathartic agents. Am J Med Sci 1970;259:32-41. PubMed
- Ehrenfeld M, Levy M, Sharon P, et al. Gastrointestinal effects of long-term colchicine therapy in patients with recurrent polyserositis (Familial Mediterranean Fever). Dig Dis Sci 1982;27:723-7. PubMed
VITAMIN B12
Moderate DepletionCOLCHICINE
Colchicine in doses of 1.9-3.9 mg daily can disrupt normal intestinal mucosal function, leading to malabsorption of several nutrients, including vitamin B12. Lower doses don't seem to have a significant effect on vitamin B12 absorption after 3 years of colchicine therapy. The significance of this interaction isn't clear. Monitor vitamin B12 levels in people taking large doses of colchicine for prolonged periods. For information on foods that are rich in vitamin B12, see our chart.
Vitamin B12 is something your nerves and red blood cells truly depend on, so it is worth paying attention to here. At higher daily doses, colchicine can irritate the lining of the small intestine, and when that lining is not working properly, it has trouble pulling vitamin B12 out of food and into your bloodstream. Importantly, this appears mainly tied to larger doses taken long-term, and lower doses have not shown a meaningful effect in studies. If you have been on colchicine for a while, it is a reasonable conversation to have with your pharmacist or doctor about whether checking your B12 level makes sense for you.
What Vitamin B12 does & food sources
Vitamin B12 supports red blood cell formation, nerve function, and DNA synthesis.
Common food sources:
- Meat, poultry, and fish
- Eggs and dairy products
- Fortified cereals and nutritional yeast
HelloPharmacist pharmacist-reviewed education — separate from the licensed record above.
What to discuss with your clinician
If you take an associated medication long-term, ask your healthcare provider whether checking a vitamin B12 level (sometimes with methylmalonic acid) is appropriate — especially if you notice fatigue, numbness, tingling, or memory changes.
HelloPharmacist pharmacist-reviewed education — separate from the licensed record above.
Supplement considerations
B12 status is easy to check and low levels are usually straightforward to address, so testing before supplementing is often the sensible order. High-dose folic acid can mask a B12 deficiency, which is one reason B12 and folate questions are best sorted out together with your provider.
Do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance — supplements can interact with prescription medications.
HelloPharmacist pharmacist-reviewed education — separate from the licensed record above.
Caution: B12 deficiency can look like other conditions — do not self-diagnose from symptoms alone.
Learn more about this nutrient: Vitamin B12 — uses, safety & interactions
References (4)
- Race TF, Paes IC, Faloon WW. Intestinal malabsorption induced by oral colchicine. Comparison with neomycin and cathartic agents. Am J Med Sci 1970;259:32-41. PubMed
- Faloon WW, Chodos RB. Vitamin B12 absorption studies using cochicines, neomycin and continuous 57Co B12 administration. Gastroenterology 1969;56:1251.
- Webb DI, Chodos RB, Mahar CQ, et al. Mechanism of vitamin B12 malabsorption in patients receiving colchicine. N Engl J Med 1968;279:845-50.
- Ehrenfeld M, Levy M, Sharon P, et al. Gastrointestinal effects of long-term colchicine therapy in patients with recurrent polyserositis (Familial Mediterranean Fever). Dig Dis Sci 1982;27:723-7. PubMed
This tool is educational and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. An association is not a diagnosis and does not mean a deficiency will occur. Always talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication or supplement.
Disclaimer: This checker finds which nutrients might be depleted by prescription or over-the-counter medications. Each nutrient depletion issue is rated based on clinical significance. Use your own professional judgment prior to making clinical decisions.© 2026 Therapeutic Research Center Licensed records refresh weekly · last updated July 3, 2026.
More about Colchicine
What drug-induced nutrient depletion means
Some medications can, over time, lower the levels of certain vitamins, minerals, or other nutrients — through reduced absorption, increased loss, or changes in how the body uses them.
Association is not deficiency
An entry here means a depletion has been reported or studied — not that it happens to everyone, or that you are deficient. Dose, duration, diet, and your own health all matter.
Evidence varies by pair
Some drug–nutrient links (like metformin and vitamin B12) are well studied; others rest on limited or preliminary research. Each entry shows the evidence rating from our licensed clinical database.
When to ask about labs
If you take an associated medication long-term, ask your healthcare provider whether monitoring is appropriate for you. Not everyone needs testing — your provider can weigh your dose, duration, and symptoms.
Don't self-supplement blindly
Supplements are not risk-free: some can interact with medications, and some (like potassium or magnesium) can be risky with kidney disease. Talk to your pharmacist before adding anything.
Never stop a medication over this
These medications are prescribed for good reasons, and the benefit usually far outweighs a manageable nutrient consideration. Any change belongs in a conversation with your prescriber.
Food first, usually
For many nutrients, a varied diet covers the gap. Each entry lists common food sources; a supplement is a decision to make with your pharmacist or provider, not a default.
Colchicine & nutrients: FAQs
Does Colchicine deplete BETA-CAROTENE?
Should I take a supplement because I take Colchicine?
Should I stop taking Colchicine?
Where does this information come from?
Questions about Colchicine and your nutrition?
Ask a licensed pharmacist — free, no appointment needed.
Sources & How We Checked
Nutrient depletion records for Colchicine are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database, and are displayed as published with their citations.
- Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — Evidence-graded clinical reference for drug-induced nutrient depletions, supplements, and interactions — the basis for this page.
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine — NIH consumer drug information, used for medication overviews across the site.
Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.