Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum
/api/v1/drug/collagenase-clostridium-histolyticumBoxed warning
CORPORAL RUPTURE (PENILE FRACTURE) OR OTHER SERIOUS PENILE INJURY IN THE TREATMENT OF PEYRONIE’S DISEASE Corporal rupture (penile fracture) was reported as an adverse reaction in 5 of 1044 (0.5%) XIAFLEX-treated patients in clinical studies. In other XIAFLEX-treated patients (9 of 1044; 0.9%), a combination of penile ecchymoses or hematoma, sudden penile detumescence, and/or a penile “popping” sound or sensation was reported, and in these cases, a diagnosis of corporal rupture cannot be excluded. Severe penile hematoma was also reported as an adverse reaction in 39 of 1044 (3.7%) XIAFLEX-treated patients [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)] . Signs or symptoms that may reflect serious penile injury should be promptly evaluated to assess for corporal rupture or severe penile hematoma which may require surgical intervention [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)] . Because of the risks of corporal rupture or other serious penile injury, XIAFLEX is available for the treatment of Peyronie’s disease only through a restricted program under a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) called the XIAFLEX REMS Program [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)] .
Mechanism of action
Sourced from openFDACollagenases are proteinases that hydrolyze collagen in its native triple helical conformation under physiological conditions, resulting in lysis of collagen deposits. Injection of XIAFLEX into a Dupuytren’s cord, which is comprised mostly of collagen, may result in enzymatic disruption of the cord.
Indications
Sourced from openFDA- XIAFLEX is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with Dupuytren’s contracture with a palpable cord. XIAFLEX is indicated for the treatment of adult men with Peyronie’s disease with a palpable plaque and curvature deformity of at least 30 degrees at the start of therapy.
Contraindications
Sourced from openFDA- XIAFLEX is contraindicated in: the treatment of Peyronie’s plaques that involve the penile urethra due to potential risk to this structure. patients with a history of hypersensitivity to XIAFLEX or to collagenase used in any other therapeutic application or application method [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)] .contraindicated
Dosage & administration
Sourced from openFDADupuytren’s Contracture ( 2.1 ) XIAFLEX should be administered by a healthcare provider experienced in injection procedures of the hand and in the treatment of Dupuytren’s contracture. Reconstitute XIAFLEX lyophilized powder with only the supplied diluent prior to use. Inject 0.58 mg of XIAFLEX into each palpable Dupuytren’s cord with a contracture of a metacarpophalangeal (MP) joint or a proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint according to the injection procedure. Up to two joints in the same hand may be treated during a treatment visit. ( 2.1 ) Approximately 24 to 72 hours following an injection, perform a finger extension procedure if a contracture persists. Injections and finger extension procedures may be administered up to 3 times per cord at approximately 4-week intervals. Inject up to two cords in the same hand at a treatment visit. If a patient has other cords with contractures, inject those cords at another treatment visit. Peyronie’s Disease ( 2.2 ) XIAFLEX should be administered by a healthcare provider experienced in the treatment of male urological diseases. Reconstitute XIAFLEX lyophilized powder with only the supplied diluent prior to use. A treatment cycle consists of two XIAFLEX injection procedures and a penile modeling procedure. Induce a penile erection. A single intracavernosal injection of 10 or 20 mcg of alprostadil may be used for this purpose. With the penis in the erect state, identify and mark the target area in the Peyronie’s plaque to be injected. The penis should be in a flaccid state before injecting XIAFLEX.
Warnings & precautions
Sourced from openFDATendon rupture or serious injury to the injected finger/hand: Avoid injecting XIAFLEX into tendons, nerves, blood vessels, or other collagen-containing structure of the hand. Injection into these structures may result in possible permanent injury, such as tendon rupture, ligament damage, or skin laceration. ( 5.1 ) Corporal rupture (penile fracture) or other serious injury to the penis: Avoid injecting into the urethra, nerves, blood vessels, corpora cavernosa or other collagen-containing structures of the penis. Injection into these structures may result in possible permanent injury such as corporal rupture (penile fracture). ( 5.2 ) Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis: Healthcare providers should be prepared to address hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, following XIAFLEX injections. ( 5.4 ) Patients with abnormal coagulation: Use with caution, including in patients who have received anticoagulant medications other than low-dose aspirin within 7 days of the injection. ( 5.5 ) Acute post-injection back pain reactions: Observe patients and provide palliative support as needed. Administer the smallest number of treatment cycles necessary to treat the patient’s curvature deformity ( 5.6 , 6.4 ) Syncope and presyncope: Make patients aware that post-injection pain can trigger syncope and presyncope. If presyncope occurs, patients should remain recumbent until symptoms resolve.
Adverse reactions
Sourced from openFDAThe following serious adverse reactions in patients with Dupuytren’s contracture are discussed in greater detail elsewhere in the labeling: Tendon ruptures or other serious injury to the injected extremity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] The following serious adverse reactions in patients with Peyronie’s disease are discussed in greater detail elsewhere in the labeling: Corporal rupture (penile fracture) and severe penile hematoma [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)] In other XIAFLEX-treated patients, a combination of penile ecchymoses or hematoma, sudden penile detumescence, and/or a penile “popping” sound or sensation was reported, and in these cases, a diagnosis of corporal rupture cannot be excluded [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)] Dupuytren’s Contracture ( 6.1 ) The most common adverse reactions reported in ≥ 25% of patients treated with XIAFLEX and at an incidence greater than placebo were edema peripheral (e.g., swelling of the injected hand), contusion, injection site hemorrhage, injection site reaction, and pain in the injected extremity. Peyronie’s Disease ( 6.2 ) The most frequently reported adverse drug reactions reported with ≥ 25% of patients treated with XIAFLEX and at an incidence greater than placebo were penile hematoma, penile swelling and penile pain. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Endo at 1-800-462-3636 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Use in specific populations
Sourced from openFDA8.1 Pregnancy Pregnancy Category B There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of XIAFLEX in pregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, XIAFLEX should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. Risk Summary Based on animal data, XIAFLEX is not predicted to increase the risk for major developmental abnormalities in humans. Human Data Human pharmacokinetic studies showed that XIAFLEX levels were not quantifiable in the systemic circulation following injection into a Dupuytren’s cord. Low levels of XIAFLEX were quantifiable in the plasma of evaluable male subjects for up to 30 minutes following administration of XIAFLEX into the penile plaque of subjects with Peyronie’s disease [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. Almost all patients develop anti-product antibodies (anti-AUX-I and anti-AUX-II) after treatment with XIAFLEX, and the clinical significance of anti-product antibody formation on a developing fetus is not known [see Adverse Reactions (6)]. Animal Data Reproduction studies have been performed in rats with intravenous exposures up to approximately 11 times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of XIAFLEX on a mg/m 2 basis, and have revealed no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the fetus due to collagenase clostridium histolyticum.
Pharmacokinetics
Sourced from openFDA- Metabolism
- Following administration of either a single injection of XIAFLEX 0.58 mg into a Dupuytren’s cord in 20 patients or two concurrent injections of XIAFLEX 0.58 mg into Dupuytren’s cords of 12 patients, no quantifiable levels of XIAFLEX (AUX-I or AUX-II) were detected in plasma up to 30 days post injection.
Overdosage
Sourced from openFDAThe effects of overdose of XIAFLEX are unknown. It is possible that multiple simultaneous or excessive doses of XIAFLEX may cause more severe local effects than the recommended doses including serious adverse reactions in the injected area (e.g., tendon ruptures or corporal ruptures dependent on the injection site). Supportive care and symptomatic treatment are recommended in these circumstances.
Approval history
Sourced from openFDA- Feb 2, 2010BLABLA125338Auxilium Pharms
FAERS reports
- 1Drug Ineffective1,35725%
- 2Contusion66812%
- 3Swelling57411%
- 4Pain5069.4%
- 5Penile Swelling4798.9%
- 6Fracture Of Penis4518.4%
- 7Penile Contusion4498.3%
- 8Injection Site Pain3215.9%
- 9Penile Pain3115.8%
- 10Injection Site Swelling2133.9%
- 11Inappropriate Schedule Of Product Administration2113.9%
- 12Condition Aggravated2083.9%
- 13Peyronie^s Disease2043.8%
- 14Penile Haematoma2033.8%
- 15Corpora Cavernosa Surgery1963.6%
Literature
Recent PubMed references pinned to Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum as a MeSH major topic. Citations link to pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
- Bioactive microneedles enabled by Ca-MOF-regulated collagenase for synergistic hypertrophic scar remodeling.Biomaterials advances · 2026 · Wang H, Fan Z, Zhang J, et al.PMID 42030680DOI 10.1016/j.bioadv.2026.214897
- Characterization of Tissue Histology for Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum-aaes: Results in Humans Following Abdominoplasty-An Exploratory Pilot Study.Aesthetic surgery journal · 2026 · Shridharani SM, Shrestha SM, Singh SA, et al.PMID 41719267DOI 10.1093/asj/sjag047
- Experimental immobilization of Clostridium histolyticum collagenases on green-synthesized CuO nanoparticles supported by bioinformatics analysis.Journal of biotechnology · 2026 · Barati F, Hosseini F, Ghadam P, et al.PMID 41325890DOI 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2025.11.019
- Collagenase treatment does not impair fiber contractile function in muscle biopsies from children with cerebral palsy.Physiological reports · 2025 · Syed F, Omerkhil L, Joumaa V, et al.PMID 41214868DOI 10.14814/phy2.70645
- Factors associated with improved curvature outcomes with collagenase clostridium histolyticum for Peyronie's disease: results from a large prospective series.The journal of sexual medicine · 2025 · Cahill EM, Trost LPMID 40814201DOI 10.1093/jsxmed/qdaf213
- "Collagenase injections versus limited fasciectomy in treating patients with Dupuytren's contracture: A systematic review and meta-analysis".International journal of orthopaedic and trauma nursing · 2025 · Rajpar NA, Khaskheli SA, Abbasi SUAM, et al.PMID 40639262DOI 10.1016/j.ijotn.2025.101211
- Outcomes of limited fasciectomy, needle fasciotomy and collagenase injection for Dupuytren's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of individual patient data.The Journal of hand surgery, European volume · 2025 · van den Berge BA, Habibi H, Dijkstra PU, et al.PMID 40391547DOI 10.1177/17531934251338349
- The Impact of Emerging Therapies and Declining Physician Reimbursement on Dupuytren Disease Treatment: A 21-Year Review.The Journal of hand surgery · 2026 · Richman EH, Rakowski D, Lauder A, et al.PMID 40372337DOI 10.1016/j.jhsa.2025.03.013
Clinical trials
The 10 most recently updated of 79 ClinicalTrials.gov registrations naming Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum as an intervention. Registration is not evidence of efficacy or safety — reference crosswalk only.
- Safety and Efficacy of Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum After Prior Intralesional PRP for Peyronie's DiseaseActive not recruiting · Phase 4 · Interventional · 12 enrolled · University of MiamiNCT05777031updated 2026-06-04
- To Assess the Effectiveness of Multiple Dose, Multiple Concentrations of Qwo, for the Treatment of Mild to Moderate Cellulite.Completed · Phase 4 · Interventional · 5 enrolled · DMR Research, PLLCNCT05026216updated 2026-05-28
- Trial Comparing Treatment Strategies in Dupuytren's ContractureActive not recruiting · Phase 4 · Interventional · 302 enrolled · Tampere UniversityNCT03192020updated 2026-04-29
- Concurrent Low Intensity Shockwave Therapy on Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum for Peyronie's DiseaseRecruiting · Interventional · 60 enrolled · Mayo ClinicNCT06065436updated 2026-01-07
- A Study to Assess Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum (CCH) in the Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis (PFA)Completed · Phase 2 · Interventional · 231 enrolled · Endo USA Inc., a Keenova Therapeutics CompanyNCT06169319updated 2025-09-30
- Fasciectomy vs Collagenase Injection in Recurrent Dupuytren DiseaseActive not recruiting · Phase 4 · Interventional · 60 enrolled · Region SkaneNCT03406338updated 2025-04-16
- Study of Different Interventions to Reduce Bruising Following CCH-Aaes Treatment for Cellulite of the ButtocksCompleted · Phase 2 · Interventional · 91 enrolled · Endo USA Inc., a Keenova Therapeutics CompanyNCT05419505updated 2025-03-07
- Effectiveness of Splinting After Collagenase InjectionCompleted · Phase 3 · Interventional · 80 enrolled · Foundation for Orthopaedic Research and EducationNCT04874870updated 2025-02-26
- Efficacy of a Novel CCH Protocol for PD Among Prior Non-respondersActive not recruiting · Phase 4 · Interventional · 40 enrolled · Charitable Union for the Research and Education of Peyronie's DiseaseNCT05108558updated 2025-02-13
- Delayed Dose Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum (CCH) Protocol for Men With Peyronie's DiseaseRecruiting · Phase 4 · Interventional · 40 enrolled · Charitable Union for the Research and Education of Peyronie's DiseaseNCT06649539updated 2025-02-13
Frequently asked questions
- How does Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum work?
- Collagenases are proteinases that hydrolyze collagen in its native triple helical conformation under physiological conditions, resulting in lysis of collagen deposits. Injection of XIAFLEX into a Dupuytren’s cord, which is comprised mostly of collagen, may result in enzymatic disruption of the cord.
- What is Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum used for?
- According to FDA labeling, Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum carries indications including: XIAFLEX is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with Dupuytren’s contracture with a palpable cord. XIAFLEX is indicated for the treatment of adult men with Peyronie’s disease with a palpable plaque and curvature deformity of at least 30 degrees at the start of therapy.. This is a reference summary of labeled uses, not medical advice or a treatment recommendation.
- What class of drug is Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum?
- Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum is classified as Enzymes, Collagen-specific Enzyme, Enzyme Activators, Dermatologic Activity Alteration.
- What are the brand names for Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum?
- Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum is marketed under brand names including Qwo, Xiaflex.
- What are the contraindications for Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum?
- Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum labeling lists contraindications including: XIAFLEX is contraindicated in: the treatment of Peyronie’s plaques that involve the penile urethra due to potential risk to this structure. patients with a history of hypersensitivity to XIAFLEX or to collagenase used in any other therapeutic application or application method [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)] .. Always consult the full prescribing information and a clinician.
collagenase-clostridium-histolyticum is illustrative MVP content compiled from public sources. pharmacopeia is for educational and informational use only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.