Pharmacoeconomics

ColciGel®: A Superior Alternative for Acute Gout Flares

ColciGel®: A Superior Alternative for Acute Gout Flares

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.

Pharmacoeconomics of ColciGel for the Treatment of Acute Gout Flares

Pharmacoeconomics of ColciGel for the Treatment of Acute Gout 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