Is Colchicine safe for babies and kids?
Very high risk for kidsInfants are highly susceptible to Colchicine due to lower body weight, immature detoxification pathways, and dietary exposure through contaminated grains or breast milk.
What is colchicine?
The IUPAC name is N-[(7S)-1,2,3,10-tetramethoxy-9-oxo-6,7-dihydro-5H-benzo[a]heptalen-7-yl]acetamide.
Also known as: N-[(7S)-1,2,3,10-tetramethoxy-9-oxo-6,7-dihydro-5H-benzo[a]heptalen-7-yl]acetamide, Colchisol, Colchineos, Colchicinum.
- IUPAC name
- N-[(7S)-1,2,3,10-tetramethoxy-9-oxo-6,7-dihydro-5H-benzo[a]heptalen-7-yl]acetamide
- CAS number
- 64-86-8
- Molecular formula
- C22H25NO6
- Molecular weight
- 399.4 g/mol
- SMILES
- CC(=O)NC1CCC2=CC(=C(C(=C2C3=CC=C(C(=O)C=C13)OC)OC)OC)OC
- PubChem CID
- 6167
Risk for babies
Very high riskInfants are highly susceptible to Colchicine due to lower body weight, immature detoxification pathways, and dietary exposure through contaminated grains or breast milk.
Neonates and infants up to 12 months have incomplete blood-brain barrier development, immature Phase I/II metabolic enzymes (particularly CYP3A4, UGT1A1), and higher gastrointestinal permeability. Equivalent doses produce higher internal concentrations and longer residence times.
Risk for pregnant and nursing people
Context-dependentPregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of Colchicine, potentially increasing fetal exposure. The developing embryo/fetus is vulnerable during organogenesis (weeks 3-8) and neurological development. Placental transfer should be assumed.
No specific reproductive toxicity data identified, but pregnancy-specific safety data is limited for most chemicals. Precautionary minimization of exposure is recommended.
Regulatory consensus
3 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Colchicine. The classifications differ — that's the data.
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| IARC | 1993 | Group 3 (not classifiable as to carcinogenicity to humans) | Evaluated as an antimitotic alkaloid; inadequate evidence in humans and animals for carcinogenicity classification. Primary toxicological concern is acute multi-organ toxicity via tubulin binding and bone marrow suppression, not carcinogenicity. |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: negative, 6 positive / 3 negative reports) | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: negative, 6 positive / 3 negative reports) |
Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.
Where kids encounter colchicine
- Industrial Facilities — Manufacturing plants, Chemical storage areas, Waste treatment sites
- Occupational Environments — Factories, Warehouses, Transportation vehicles
Safer alternatives
Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Colchicine:
-
Avoidance (no chemical substitute)
Trade-offs: Direct chemical substitution requires verification that the replacement does not introduce new hazards (regrettable substitution). Conduct full hazard assessment of proposed alternative before adoption.Relative cost: 1.2-2×
Frequently asked questions
Is colchicine safe for kids?
Infants are highly susceptible to Colchicine due to lower body weight, immature detoxification pathways, and dietary exposure through contaminated grains or breast milk.
What products contain colchicine?
Colchicine appears in: Manufacturing plants (Industrial facilities); Chemical storage areas (Industrial facilities); Factories (Occupational environments); Warehouses (Occupational environments).
What should I do if my child is exposed to colchicine?
Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.
Why do regulators disagree about colchicine?
Colchicine has been classified by 3 agencies including IARC, EPA CTX / Genetox, EPA CTX / Genetox, with differing conclusions. Regulators apply different standards of evidence (animal data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds), which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. See the regulatory consensus table on this page for the full picture.
See Colchicine in the baby app
Look up products containing colchicine, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.
Open in baby View raw API dataSources (3)
- IARC Monographs Volume 56: Some Naturally Occurring Substances — Food Items, Heterocyclic Amines and Mycotoxins; Colchicine Evaluation, Group 3 Classification (1993) (1993) — regulatory
- US FDA: Colchicine — Drug Safety Communication on Narrow Therapeutic Index, Overdose Risk, Drug Interactions (Colcrys), and Toxicokinetics (2012) (2012) — regulatory
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Autumn Crocus (Colchicum autumnale) and Glory Lily (Gloriosa superba) — Colchicine Toxicity in Dogs and Cats, Multi-Stage Clinical Presentation and Case Outcomes (2021) — veterinary
Reference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific data; not a substitute for veterinary, medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Why we built ALETHEIA →