Drug-Drug Interaction Study of Colchicine and Theophylline

Colchicine is a supressor of hepatic CYP1A2 and theophylline is a sensitive CYP1A2 probe substrate. When the two are co-administered the potential exists for a clinically significant drug interaction. This study aims to determine the effect of steady-state colchicine on the pharmacokinetics of theophylline administered as a single dose. A secondary goal is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of this regimen in healthy volunteers. All study subjects will be monitored for adverse events throughout the entire study period.

Colchicine is a supressor of hepatic CYP1A2 and theophylline is a sensitive CYP1A2 probe substrate. When the two are co-administered the potential exists for a clinically significant drug interaction . This study aims to determine the effect of steady-state colchicine on the pharmacokinetics of theophylline administered as a single dose. After a fast of at least 10 hours, thirty healthy, non-smoking, non-obese, non-pregnant adult volunteers between the ages of 18 and 45 will be given one dose of 300mg (80mg/15ml concentrate) theophylline (theophylline elixir) on Day 1. Fasting will continue for 4 hours after the dose. Blood samples will be drawn from all participants before dosing and for 24 hours post-dose on a confined basis at times sufficient to adequately determine the pharmacokinetics of theophylline. Blood sampling will then continue on a non-confined basis on days 2-3. A four day washout period will be completed after the theophylline dose on Day 1 and prior to administration of the first colchicine dose on Day 5. Participants will return to the clinic on days 5-18 for non-confined dosing of colchicine (0.6mg every 12 hours). Administered dosing on these days will not necessarily be in a fasted state.

On Day 19 after a fast of at least 10 hours, all study participants will receive 300mg theophylline (80mg/15ml) and 0.6 mg colchicine (1 x 0.6mg tablet) together. Fasting will continue for 4 hours following these co-administered doses. All subjects will be confined to the clinic for dosing and the following 24-hour period. Blood samples will be drawn at times sufficient to adequately determine the pharmacokinetics of theophylline in the presence of colchicine at steady state. Blood sampling will continue on a non-confined basis on Days 20-21. The final dose of colchicine (1x0.6mg) will be administered to subjects the evening of Day 19.

A further goal of this study is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of this regimen in healthy volunteers. Subjects will be monitored throughout participation in the study for adverse reactions to the study drug and/or procedures. Seated blood pressure and pulse will be measured prior to dosing and at approximately 1, 2, and 3 hours following drug administration on Days 1, 5 (after the morning dose) and 19. All adverse events whether elicited by query, spontaneously reported, or observed by clinic staff will be evaluated by the Investigator and reported in the subject's case report form.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Healthy adults 18-45 years of age, non-smoking and non-pregnant (postmenopausal, surgically sterile or using effective contraceptive measures) with a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 18 and less than or equal to 32, inclusive

Exclusion Criteria:

* Recent participation (within 28 days) in other research studies
* Recent significant blood donation or donation of plasma
* Pregnant or lactating
* Test positive at screening for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg), or hepatitis C virus (HCV)
* Recent (2-year) history or evidence of alcoholism or drug abuse
* History or presence of significant cardiovascular, pulmonary, hepatic, gallbladder or biliary tract, renal, hematological, gastrointestinal, endocrine, immunologic, dermatologic, neurological, or psychiatric disease
* Subjects who have used any drugs or substances known to inhibit or induce cytochrome (CYP) P450 enzymes and/or P-glycoprotein (P-gp) within 28 days prior to the first dose and throughout the study