By Gary E. Myerson, MD, Marc Alan Brenner, DPM, Robert L. Wilbur, Pharm.D., CPh | Director, Medical Affairs
A new agent, ColciGel®, has recently emerged for the treatment of acute flares of gout. ColciGel is a transdermal gel preparation of Colchicinum (colchicine in its homeopathic state) that is applied topically. ColciGel contains Colchicinum 4X in a proprietary Organogel that is applied directly to the site of acute flares.
By Gary E. Myerson, MD
Oral Colchicine was effective in only 38% of patients treated for acute flares.1 It is associated with poor tolerability due to a high-rate of gastrointestinal effects; typically nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Less common but more significant is a strong potential for drug-drug interactions with oral colchicine as it is metabolized and transported by cytochrome P450-3A4 and P-glycoprotein, two systems used by many other drugs.2 Fatalities have occurred from these drug-drug interactions with colchicine.3 4
By Alesia Wagner, Chain Drug Review
Gout, an extremely painful form of inflammatory arthritis, affects more than 4% of Americans and about 10% of men over the age of 60. It is more common in women after menopause. The disease occurs due to an excess of the bodily waste uric acid. The acid is deposited as needle-like crystals in the joints or in soft tissue. These crystals cause redness, swelling, stiffness and intense pain in the joints, which in turn can create gout flares.
ColciGel is a new prescription medication for the treatment of acute flares of gout. It is a transdermal gel that contains homeopathic colchicine (colchicinum 4X) that is applied directly to the sites of a flare. ColciGel penetrates the dermal layer, resulting in the reduction of inflammation and pain associated with the flare.
A single dose topical colchinium for acute gout flares.