Can colchicine make things worse?

Medication Question

I had PFAPA as a child which recurred as an adult but has been in remission for a few years following multiple surgeries.

But my whole adult life I’ve had what I’d describe as “low grade PFAPA flares” - milder sore throats, swollen glands, feeling fluey but usually with no fever.

My immunologist thinks these flares are autoinflammatory and has started me on colchicine while I wait for genetic testing.

Since starting colchicine a month ago my flares are much more frequent and I’m having them at least once a week whereas previously I could go weeks without symptoms.

Can colchicine make things worse, or does this point to my symptoms not being autoinflammatory?

Posted Sep 12, 2026, 8:42 AM UTC

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