Use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in the treatment of pancytopenia secondary to colchicine overdose.
OBJECTIVE
To report a case of pancytopenia following colchicine overdose and to discuss the use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) for treating this severe complication.


METHODS
A 19-year-old man developed pancytopenia four days after ingestion of approximately 50-60 0.6-mg colchicine tablets in a suicide attempt. His pancytopenia resolved after subcutaneous administration of one 300-micrograms dose of G-CSF. The patient recovered from his other multiorgan disturbances during his hospitalization and was discharged from the hospital with elevated liver enzyme concentrations.


CONCLUSIONS
Colchicine overdose is rare, but can be fatal. The use of G-CSF appears to be beneficial in alleviating bone marrow depression in colchicine overdose situations.
Katz
R
R
Department of Pharmacy, Cooper Hospital/University Medical Center, Camden, NJ 08103.
Chuang
L C
LC
Sutton
J D
JD
D000328:Adult; D003078:Colchicine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D062787:Drug Overdose; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010198:Pancytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted
D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; D003078:Colchicine