Warnings for ColciGel
For External Use Only • Avoid Contact With Eyes and Mouth • Keep Out of Reach of Children Store at 25° C (77° F); exclusions permitted to 15° to 30°C (59° to 86° F).
See USP Controlled Room Temperature
Precautions for ColciGel
Nonclinical Toxicology
Carcinogenesis
Carcinogenicity studies of colchicinum have not been conducted. Due to the potential for colchicinum to produce aneuploid cells (cells with an unequal number of chromosomes), there is theoretically an increased risk of malignancy.
Mutagenesis
Colchicine was negative for mutagenicity in the bacterial reverse mutation assay. In a chromosomal aberration assay in cultured human white blood cells, colchicine treatment resulted in the formation of micronuclei. Since published studies demonstrated that colchicine induces aneuploidy from the process of mitotic nondisjunction without structural DNA changes, colchicine is not considered clastogenic, although micronuclei are formed.
Impairment Of Fertility
No studies of colchicinum effects on fertility were conducted with ColciGel®. However, published nonclinical studies demonstrated that colchicine-induced disruption of microtubule formation affects meiosis and mitosis. Reproductive studies also reported abnormal sperm morphology and reduced sperm counts in males, and interference with sperm penetration, second meiotic division, and normal cleavage in females when exposed to colchicine. Colchicine administered to pregnant animals resulted in fetal death and teratogenicity. These effects were dose dependent, with the timing of exposure critical for the effects on embryofetal development. The nonclinical doses evaluated were generally higher than an equivalent human ORAL therapeutic dose, but safety margins for reproductive and developmental toxicity could not be determined. Case reports and epidemiology studies in human male subjects on colchicine therapy indicated that infertility from colchicine is rare. A case report indicated that azoospermia was reversed when therapy was stopped. Case reports and epidemiology studies in female subjects on colchicine therapy have not established a clear relationship between colchicinum use and female infertility. The use of colchicinum needs to be weighed against the potential risks.
Use In Pregnancy
No human or animal studies on the effect of ColciGel® (colchicinum 4X) in pregnancy have been conducted.
Nursing Mothers
It is not known whether ColciGel® (colchicinum 4X) is excreted in breast milk.