[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.
Le Bellec
M-L
ML
Centre régional de pharmacovigilance, CHU Côte-de-Nacre, avenue de la Côte-de-Nacre, BP 95182, 14033 Caen cedex 9, France.
de la Gastine
B
B
Mosquet
B
B
Godde
F
F
Ze Bekolo
R
R
Gloro
R
R
Leterrier
C
C
Coquerel
A
A
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