Colchicine overdose: A South African experience, a case report

Abstract

Introduction Colchicine overdose is uncommon but is associated with a high mortality rate. It has a narrow therapeutic index and has been described to have a 100% mortality with ingestion of >0.8 mg/kg (Finkelstein et al., 2010; Herran-Monge et al., 2013; Aghabiklooei et al., 2014; Erden et al., 2013). Case report This is a case report of a 19-year-old male who ingested 0.4 mg/kg of colchicine in a suicide attempt. He developed multiorgan dysfunction. He was managed supportively, and the dysfunction resolved. Discussion The clinical presentation and management should be familiar to all those who work in acute care in order to be able to identify and treat it timeously thus preventing morbidity and mortality. Treatment is largely supportive. To the best of our knowledge this is the first case of colchicine overdose described in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Colchicine for the primary prevention of cardiovascular events

“…Colchicine has a narrow therapeutic index (Essame 2020;Finkelstein 2010;Ghawanmeh 2020), and its toxicity is associated with a poor prognosis (Essame 2020;Finkelstein 2010). Several drugs inhibit colchicine metabolism; either cytochrome P450 or P-glycoprotein: macrolides (mainly clarithromycin), antiretroviral therapy, broad-spectrum oral antifungal agent (ketoconazole, etc.…”