[Colchicine intoxication in four elderly patients: how to prevent it?].
BACKGROUND
In France, unlike other countries, the use of colchicine is preferred to other anti-inflammatory drugs for the treatment of gout.


METHODS
We report a case series of four elderly patients (range from 72 to 83 years of age) who presented with colchicine intoxication, all notified to the Basse-Normandie pharmacovigilance centre in 2007. For each patient, one or more risk factors were identified: renal failure, high initial dosage, absence of laboratory monitoring.


CONCLUSIONS
It would be useful to establish specific guidelines for colchicine use in the elderly population.
Centre régional de pharmacovigilance, CHU Côte-de-Nacre, avenue de la Côte-de-Nacre, BP 95182, 14033 Caen cedex 9, France.
M-L
ML
Le Bellec
B
B
de la Gastine
B
B
Mosquet
F
F
Godde
R
R
Ze Bekolo
R
R
Gloro
C
C
Leterrier
A
A
Coquerel
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003078:Colchicine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000506:poisoning*; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006073:Gout / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006074:Gout Suppressants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011041:Poisoning / Q000517:prevention & control; D019338:Polypharmacy; D011358:Product Surveillance, Postmarketing; D012307:Risk Factors
D006074:Gout Suppressants; D003078:Colchicine