What Is Gloperba?

Gloperba is the brand name for Colchicine oral solution (0.6 mg/5 mL). It was approved by the FDA in 2018 and is manufactured by Romeg Therapeutics / Avion Pharmaceuticals. Gloperba is the only FDA-approved liquid formulation of Colchicine available in the United States.

Gloperba is prescribed for the prophylaxis (prevention) of gout flares in adults. It's not designed to treat an active gout attack — it's a daily preventive medication that reduces the frequency and severity of flares over time.

What Makes Gloperba Different From Other Colchicine Products?

Colchicine has been used to treat gout for centuries. Today, it's available in several forms:

• Colcrys — Brand Colchicine tablet (0.6 mg)
• Mitigare — Brand Colchicine capsule (0.6 mg)
• Generic Colchicine — Tablet form (0.6 mg)
• Gloperba — Liquid Colchicine solution (0.6 mg/5 mL)

What sets Gloperba apart is its liquid formulation. This makes it uniquely valuable for patients who:

• Have difficulty swallowing pills (dysphagia)
• Use a feeding tube
• Are elderly patients who prefer liquid medications
• Need precise dose adjustments that a liquid allows

For a deeper comparison with other options, read our guide on alternatives to Gloperba.

What Is Gout?

Before diving deeper into Gloperba, let's briefly cover the condition it treats. Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis caused by the buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints. It most commonly affects the big toe but can occur in any joint.

Gout flares cause:

• Sudden, intense joint pain
• Swelling and redness
• Warmth in the affected area
• Limited range of motion

Flares can last days to weeks and tend to recur. That's where prophylactic (preventive) medications like Gloperba come in — taken daily, they reduce the frequency of these painful episodes.

How Does Gloperba Work?

Gloperba's active ingredient, Colchicine, works by inhibiting tubulin polymerization. In simpler terms, it disrupts microtubule assembly inside cells, which does several things:

• Reduces neutrophil migration — Neutrophils are white blood cells that rush to inflamed joints during a gout flare. Colchicine slows this migration.
• Decreases inflammatory mediators — By disrupting cellular processes, Colchicine reduces the chemicals that cause inflammation and pain.

For a more detailed explanation, check out our article on how Gloperba works.

Gloperba Dosage

The standard dosage for gout flare prophylaxis is:

• 0.6 mg (5 mL) once daily — the most common starting dose
• 0.6 mg (5 mL) twice daily — maximum recommended dose for prophylaxis (1.2 mg/day)

Your doctor will determine the right dose based on your medical history, kidney and liver function, and any other medications you're taking.

Important Dosing Notes

• Do not exceed 1.2 mg/day for prophylaxis
• Dose adjustments are required if you're taking medications that interact with Colchicine (particularly CYP3A4 inhibitors or P-glycoprotein inhibitors) — see our drug interactions guide
• Patients with kidney or liver impairment may need a lower dose or more careful monitoring
• Use the provided measuring device — don't estimate with a household spoon

Pharmacokinetics: How Your Body Processes Gloperba

Understanding how Gloperba moves through your body helps explain why dosing matters:

• Bioavailability: Approximately 45%
• Half-life: 26.6–31.2 hours — meaning the drug stays in your system for a relatively long time
• Metabolism: Partly metabolized in the liver via the CYP3A4 enzyme. Gloperba is also a P-glycoprotein (P-gp) substrate.
• Excretion: Primarily through feces (about 65%)

The long half-life is one reason why Colchicine toxicity can be dangerous — the drug accumulates if doses are too high or if elimination is impaired.

Who Should NOT Take Gloperba

Gloperba is contraindicated in patients with both renal (kidney) or hepatic (liver) impairment who are also taking strong CYP3A4 inhibitors or P-glycoprotein inhibitors. This combination can lead to dangerously high Colchicine levels in the blood.

You should also use caution — and inform your doctor — if you:

• Have any degree of kidney or liver disease
• Are taking statins (increased risk of rhabdomyolysis)
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Have a history of blood disorders

Common Side Effects

Most side effects of Gloperba are gastrointestinal and include:

• Diarrhea (most common)
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Pharyngolaryngeal pain (sore throat)

For a complete breakdown of side effects and when to seek medical attention, read our detailed guide on Gloperba side effects.

Drug Interactions to Watch For

Gloperba has several important drug interactions that can increase your risk of serious side effects:

• Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors: Clarithromycin, Ketoconazole, Itraconazole, HIV protease inhibitors
• Moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors: Erythromycin, Fluconazole, Diltiazem, Verapamil
• P-glycoprotein inhibitors: Cyclosporine, Ranolazine
• Statins: Increased risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis

Always tell your doctor about every medication you take. For the full list, see our Gloperba drug interactions guide.

How Much Does Gloperba Cost?

Without insurance, Gloperba typically costs $500–$700+ per month. This is significantly more expensive than generic Colchicine tablets, which is one reason some patients and doctors hesitate to choose it.

However, there are ways to reduce your cost:

• Manufacturer copay cards and savings programs
• Prescription discount cards (GoodRx, SingleCare)
• Patient assistance programs (NeedyMeds, RxAssist)
• Insurance with specialty drug coverage

Read our complete guide on how to save money on Gloperba.

Why Is Gloperba Hard to Find?

Gloperba can be difficult to find at pharmacies because:

• It's made by a single manufacturer
• There's no generic liquid Colchicine
• High cost discourages pharmacy stocking
• Small patient population means low demand at individual pharmacies
• Supply chain disruptions affect single-source drugs disproportionately

If you need help finding Gloperba in stock near you, use MedFinder to search pharmacies by location, or check our guide on how to check if a pharmacy has Gloperba.

Key Takeaways

• Gloperba is the only FDA-approved liquid Colchicine for gout flare prevention
• Standard dose is 0.6 mg (5 mL) once or twice daily, max 1.2 mg/day
• It's ideal for patients who can't swallow pills or need precise dosing
• Watch for drug interactions, especially with CYP3A4 inhibitors, P-gp inhibitors, and statins
• Cost is $500–$700+/month without insurance, but savings programs exist
• Use MedFinder to find pharmacies that stock it near you