INTRODUCTION

Colchicine belongs to a class of drugs called Uricosuric agents.
It is an alkaloid used in the symptomatic relief of pain in attacks of gouty arthritis, pseudogout, sarcodial arthritis, calcific tendinitis and to treat the inflammatory symptoms of Familial Mediterranean Fever.
It appears as odourless or nearly odourless pale yellow needles or powder that darkens on exposure to light.

Manufacture
It is derived from the bulb-like corms of the Colchicum autumnale plant, also known as autumn crocus.

SynonymsN-[(7S)-1,2,3,10-Tetramethoxy-9-oxo-5,6,7,9-tetrahydrobenzo[a]heptalen-7-yl]-acetamide
CAS no.64-86-8
EINECS no.200-598-5
Molecular formulaC22H25NO6
Molecular weight399.44
Structure

Applications

Gout and PseudogoutColchicine has been known as a treatment for gout for several millenia. It is also recommended for the treatment of acute flares, as well as flare prophylaxis, in patients with pseudogout or calcium pyrophosphate crystal arthritis.
Familial Mediterranean FeverColchicine has been the treatment of choice for Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) a hereditary autoinflammatory condition  since the 1970’s.
Uses in DermatologyColchicine has been reported to be an efficacious and well-tolerated treatment for numerous dermatologic diseases. Behçet’s disease, epidermolysis bullosa acquisita, leukocytocastic vasculitis, Sweet’s syndrome and recurrent apthous stomatitis are some of the few dermatologic diseases in which treatment with colchicine has been studied.
New Potential IndicationsThe potential uses of colchicine have broadened significantly over the last few years as new studies have emerged demonstrating novel applications within oncology, immunology, cardiology, and dermatology.

SPECIFICATIONS – EP/BP

TestUnitSpecification
AppearanceYellowish-White, amorphous or crystalline powder
SolubilityVery soluble in wáter, rapidly re-crystallizing from concentrated solutions as the sesquihydrate, freely soluble in Ethanol (96%), practically insoluble in Cyclohexane
Identification
1. By UV

2. By IR

3. By Chemical
4. By Chemical







The ratio of absorbance measured at 243 nm to that measured 350 nm is 1.7 to 1.9

The IR absorption spectrum of the preparation of the test specimen and working standard, exhibits maxima only at the same wave lengths
The organic layer is greenish-yellow
A brownish-red colour develops
Appearance of solutionSolution S is clear (2.2.1) and not more intensely coloured than reference solution GY3 (2.2.2, Method II)
Acidity or AlkalinityEither the solution does not change colour or it become green. Not more tan 0.1 ml of 0.01 M Sodium hydroxide is required to change the colour of the indicator to blue
Specific optical rotation-250° to -235°, calculated on the anhydrous substance
Related substances (by HPLC)
1. Impurity ‘A’
2. Impurity ‘G’
3. Impurity ‘E’
4. Unspecified impurities
5. Total impurities


%
%
%
%
%


Max 3.0
Max 0.25
Max 0.20
Max 0.10
Max 4.0
Impurity F%Max 0.2
Ethyl acetate (by GC)%Max 6.0
Water content (by KF)%Max 2.0% determined on 0.500 gm
Sulphated ashMax 0.1% determined on 0.500 gm
Residual solvents (by HSGC)
1. Methanol
2. Acetone
3. Methylene Dichloride
4. Chloroform


ppm
ppm
ppm
ppm


NMT 3000
NMT 5000
NMT 600
NMT 500
Assay (Potentiometer)%97.0 to 102.0

STORAGE
Store in a dry and well-ventilated area.

PACKING
1 kg aluminum foil in steel container.

REGISTRATION / CERTIFICATION
ISO, WHO-GMP, Written Confirmation (WC), DMF as per EP/BP/USP & Certificate of Suitability (CEP) to European monograph.

No matter the quantity you need, our exceptional quality and service will make ExSyn your supplier of choice! If you need any additional information or SDS, please contact us.

More Products
In focus: (S)-Oxetan-2-yl-methanamine
Products in focus · 15/09/2026

(S)-Oxetan-2-yl-methanamine is a chiral oxetane-containing primary amine. The compound features a strained four-membered oxetane ring and an aminomethyl substituent, making it a valuable building block in modern medicinal chemistry. Due to its unique physicochemical properties, including increased polarity and metabolic stability compared with conventional alkyl groups, it is widely employed as an advanced pharmaceutical intermediate in drug discovery and development programs.

READ MORE
In focus: Guanidine Carbonate
Products in focus · 08/09/2026

Guanidine carbonate is a white, crystalline, water-soluble compound with an alkaline and ionic nature. Composed of guanidinium cations and carbonate anions, it offers chemical stability, buffering capacity, and good formulation compatibility. In textile applications, it is used in formulations and fabric treatments for its thickening, softening, lubricating, anti-static, and flame-retardant properties, contributing to improved fabric finish and performance.

READ MORE
In focus: Tin(II) sulfide
Products in focus · 01/09/2026

Tin(II) sulfide (SnS) has emerged as a safe and sustainable semiconductor owing to its non-toxicity, low cost, and natural abundance. It has attracted significant interest for solar energy conversion in thin-film photovoltaic devices because of its suitable band gap, which is approximately 1.3 eV in the orthorhombic phase and 1.5-1.7 eV in the cubic phase. In addition to photovoltaic applications, SnS is used in solid-state lubricants, near-infrared detectors, Lithium-ion batteries, and various sensing devices.

READ MORE
In focus: Nikethamide BP (N,N-Diethylnicotamide)
Products in focus · 25/08/2026

Nikethamide is a synthetic organic compound derived from nicotinic acid (vitamin B₃). It consists of a pyridine ring linked to a diethyl amide functional group and belongs to the class of pyridine amide derivatives.

READ MORE
In focus: (2-Methoxy-1-methyl-2-oxoethyl)triphenylphosphoniumbromide
Products in focus · 18/08/2026

(2-Methoxy-1-methyl-2-oxoethyl)triphenylphosphonium bromide is a stabilized phosphonium salt widely used as an intermediate in organic synthesis. Due to presence of an ester group, the compound generates a stabilized ylide that is particularly useful for synthesizing α, β-unsaturated esters, valuable intermediates in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, fragrances, and fine chemicals.

READ MORE
In focus: p-tert-butylphenol (PTBP)
Products in focus · 11/08/2026

p-tert-Butylphenol (PTBP), is an aromatic organic compound consists of a phenol ring substituted with a tert-butyl group at the para (4-) position, giving it improved thermal stability and hydrophobic properties compared to phenol. PTBP features significant hydrogen bonding capabilities, which enhance its solubility in organic solvents. PTBP is used primarily as an intermediate in the manufacturing of polycarbonate plastics, phenolic resins, and epoxy resins.

READ MORE
In focus: Yttrium oxide
Products in focus · 04/08/2026

Yttrium oxide (Y2O3), also known as yttria, is an air-stable, odorless white powder. It is a highly stable, chemically inert ceramic with a very high melting point. It is insoluble in water but readily dissolves in most strong acids. Increasing the specific surface area and porosity of Y2O3 can further improve its relevant physical and chemical properties.

READ MORE
In focus:Ethyl 7,7,7-trifluoro-3-hydroxy-3-methylheptanoate
Products in focus · 28/07/2026

Ethyl 7,7,7-trifluoro-3-hydroxy-3-methylheptanoate is a fluorinated aliphatic hydroxy ester. The presence of the trifluoromethyl group imparts enhanced metabolic stability, lipophilicity, and unique physicochemical properties compared with non-fluorinated analogues. This compound is primarily used as a synthetic intermediate in pharmaceutical and agrochemical research.

READ MORE
In focus: 2-Chloro-1,1,1- trimethoxyethane
Products in focus · 21/07/2026

2-Chloro-1,1,1-trimethoxyethane is an organochlorine orthoester compound commonly used as a versatile synthetic intermediate in organic and pharmaceutical chemistry. It is a colorless to pale yellow liquid with good reactivity toward nucleophilic substitution and cyclization reactions, making it valuable in the preparation of heterocyclic and bioactive molecules.

READ MORE