title: Formulation of colchicine ointment for the treatment of acute gout.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In spite of being the fastest acting drug available for the control of an acute gout attack, colchicine is generally considered a last alternative in gout therapy. This is mainly due to the severe adverse effects associated with its administration through the enteral and parenteral routes, as well as its high risk/benefit ratio. The preparation of dosage forms of colchicine that can be administered by alternative routes is therefore a beneficial exercise. Among the formulable substitute dosage forms of colchicine, its ointment seems to be the best option available due to its ability to deliver the drug transdermally as well as its ease of preparation and evaluation. In this study, we prepared and tested 0.2% and 0.5% colchicine ointments for their effectiveness in delivering colchicine transdermally.
  
  
  METHODS
  Colchicine ointment was prepared using a self-formulated water-in-oil type of emulsion ointment base, with the colchicine dissolved in the water portion of the ointment base. In vitro drug release studies were carried out using the Franz diffusion test apparatus and an ultraviolet (UV)-visible spectrophotometer was used to quantify the drug in the samples. Rabbits were used as test animals for in vivo studies and the blood samples were analysed using the UV-visible spectrophotometer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Colchicine was found to be well-absorbed transdermally, although absorption was not 100%. No side effects were associated with its 0.2% formulation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ointments containing colchicine in low concentrations may be a feasible and effective treatment option for the prevention and treatment of acute gout attacks.
authors.affiliation: Anwarul Uloom College of Pharmacy, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad, India. sairammaduri@zoho.com
authors.forename: Sairam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maduri
authors.forename: Venkateshwar Reddy
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Atla
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000818:Animals; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D003078:Colchicine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004058:Diffusion; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006073:Gout / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D009824:Ointments; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000737:chemistry*; D011817:Rabbits; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects; D012995:Solubility; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D009824:Ointments; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D003078:Colchicine