[In Medea's gardens--two tales of colchicine].
Colchicine is a highly active alkaloid used in the treatment of acute inflammatory syndromes such as Mediterranean fever, M. Behçet or gouty arthritis. The two cases we present here illustrate exemplarily the pros and contras of colchicine therapy. In the first case, colchicine was successfully given for recurrent febrile attacks due to acute rheumatic fever. The second patient unfortunately had a fatal colchicine intoxication. The pharmacology of colchicine, the clinical features associated with overdose and the options for treatment are discussed. Colchicine should not be given in combination with macrolides, especially in patients with renal insufficiency.
Huynh-Do
U
U
Klinik und Poliklinik für Nephrologie und Hypertonie, Inselspital Bern. uyen.huynh-do@insel.ch
D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003078:Colchicine / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006073:Gout / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006074:Gout Suppressants / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008657:Metabolic Clearance Rate; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012213:Rheumatic Fever / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012307:Risk Factors
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D006074:Gout Suppressants; D003078:Colchicine