Colchicine arrests cell division in animals and plants. It has adversely affected spermatogenesis in humans and in some animal species under certain conditions.

General

Colchicine should be administered with caution to aged or debilitated patients, and to those with early manifestations of gastrointestinal, renal, hepatic, cardiac, or hematological disorders. (see CONTRAINDICATIONS).

If nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea occurs, the drug should be discontinued,

Laboratory Tests

In patients receiving longterm therapy, periodic blood counts should be done.

Drug Interactions

Colchicine is inhibited by acidifying agents. The action of colchicine is potentiated by alkalinizing agents.

Colchicine may increase sensitivity to the CNS depressants.

Response to sympathomimetic agentsmay be enhanced by colchicine.

Laboratory Test Interactions

Colchicine therapy may cause elevated alkaline phosphatase and SGOT values.

Decreased thrombocyte values may be obtained during colchicine therapy.

Colchicine may cause false positive results when testing urine for RBC or hemoglobin.

Carcinogenesis

Data in the literature does not indicate colchicine as a carcinogenic agent.

Fertility

See

WARNINGS

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Category C. Colchicine has been shown to be teratogenic in mice when given doses of 1.25 and 1.5 mg/kg and in hamsters when given 10 mg/kg. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Colchicine should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Nursing Mothers

It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when colchicine is administered to a nursing woman.

Last reviewed on RxList: 10/4/2010
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.