Patient/caregiver was educated on contraindications for using Colcrys as follows:
- Do not take Colcrys, if you ever manifested any allergic response to intake of Colcrys. Discuss your history of allergic response to this medication with your physician, without fail.
- Colcrys intake, on prolonged use, can rarely also result in bone marrow suppression, resulting in reduced production of all the blood cells. Low red blood cell production can result in findings of anemia and individuals can present with pallor of skin and mucosa, fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, and other symptoms of anemia. Low white blood cell count with colcrys intake can result in reduced immunity and increased risk for opportunistic infections. Low platelet cell production, secondary to bone marrow suppression, can result in episodes of easy bleeding and poor clotting. Patients can present with easy bruising and internal bleeding, and blood loss in urine and stool, thus contributing to symptoms of anemia. Colcrys must be administered with extra caution in individuals with history of bone marrow suppression, anemia, opportunistic infections, and bleeding disorders, with close watch maintained on blood cell counts and other evolving signs of bone marrow suppression, as discussed above.
