- Female volunteers must be sexually abstinent for 14 days prior to the first dose and throughout the study or using acceptable birth control methods (prior to and during the study), including being postmenopausal or surgically sterile (or sexual activity restricted to a partner that is surgically sterile), hormonal contraception, an IUD, or barrier methods with spermicide. Additionally, they will be advised to remain sexually inactive or to keep the same birth control method for at least 14 days following the last dose of colchicine.