Colchicine (Colchicine) Drug Information: Warnings and Precautions

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May 26, 2012

Colchicine

Gout »

What is gout? What is hyperuricemia?

Gout is a disease that results from an overload of uric acid in the body. This overload of uric acid leads to the formation of tiny crystals of urate that deposit in tissues of the body, especially the joints. When crystals form in the joints, it causes recurring attacks of joint inflammation (arthritis). Gout is considered a chronic and progressive disease. Chronic gout can also lead to deposits of hard lumps of uric acid in the tissues, particularly in and around the joints and may cause joint destruction, decreased kidney function, and kidney stones (nephrolithiasis).

Gout has the unique distinction of being one of the most frequently recorded medical illnesses throughout history. It is often related to an inherited abnormality in the body's ability to process uric acid. Uric acid is a breakdown product of purines that are part of many foods we eat. An abnormality in handling uric acid can cause attacks of p...

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Colchicine

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WARNINGS

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

PRECAUTIONS

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

section for information on impairment of fertility.

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.