colchicine + ritonavir

**Colchicine + ritonavir** is a combination of two pharmaceuticals used in circumstances where both drugs are indicated, most notably for the management of gout or familial Mediterranean fever in patients who also require ritonavir, typically as part of HIV therapeutic regimens. **Colchicine** is a microtubule inhibitor that prevents neutrophil migration and reduces inflammation; it is primarily metabolized via the CYP3A4 enzyme and is a substrate for the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) transporter[1][3]. **Ritonavir** is a potent inhibitor of CYP3A4 and P-gp, most commonly used as a pharmacokinetic enhancer ("booster") for HIV protease inhibitors. The combination is clinically significant due to ritonavir's ability to dramatically increase systemic exposure (Cmax and AUC) of colchicine[1][3]. This interaction can lead to increased risk of colchicine toxicity, including life-threatening and fatal adverse events such as myopathy, gastrointestinal toxicity, or multiorgan failure[1][2][4][5]. Dose adjustments for colchicine are recommended when the two are coadministered.

Other names

colchicine and ritonavir