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Initially, colchicine was obtained from seeds and tubers of various species of earthworms. Today, it is most commonly used to treat gout and pericarditis. Colchicine is anti-inflammatory and analgesic. Unfortunately, this substance should not be used for a long time. Check how colchicine works.
Colchicine is a substance used to treat conditions such as gout. This is a very old and inexpensive treatment. Colchicine has a strong anti-inflammatory effect and is commonly used to treat a variety of inflammatory diseases. Are there any risks associated with the use of colchicine?
Colchicine – indications
The mechanism by which colchicine works is not fully known. The drug is indicated for patients with gout attacks. Colchicine is also recommended for the prevention of acute gout attacks, especially at the beginning of therapy with uricosuric drugs.
Colchicine – contraindications
Hypersensitivity to any component of the preparation is a contraindication to the use of the substance. People who suffer from severe disorders of the heart, intestines, stomach, liver or kidneys should also give up drugs containing colchicine. Various hematological disorders are also contraindications.
Colchicine is also contraindicated in pregnant and lactating women.
Colchicine – precautions
Particular care should be taken when using colchicine in the elderly, debilitated and with various cardiological and liver diseases.
The symptoms of diseases related to the digestive system may worsen during treatment with colchicine. For this reason, patients in this group may develop diarrhea, nausea or abdominal pain.
The use of colchicine may also lead to bone marrow disorders, neuromyopathy, myopathy, agranulocytosis and rhabdomyolysis. In addition, using colchicine in parallel with cyclosporine or macrolide antibiotics may aggravate the above symptoms.
Colchicine-containing drugs should not be used in people with galactose intolerance, primary lactase deficiency, glucose-galactose malabsorption, fructose intolerance and sucrase-isomaltase deficiency.
Colchicine can also reduce the absorption of vitamin B12, while inhibitors of cytochrome P-450 can lead to an increase in the concentration of colchicine in the blood.
Colchicine – side effects
The most common side effect of colchicine is various gastrointestinal complaints. In addition, agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, aplastic anemia, bone marrow failure, haemolytic anemia, pancytopenia, neuromyopathy, skin pruritus and burning sensation, purpura, alopecia, nail disease and myopathy may occur.
Colchicine – overdose
Colchicine can be overdosed after taking 0,5 mg / kg body weight. Symptoms of the toxic effect of this substance can be noticed after 2-12 hours. The first symptoms are hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting with leukocytosis. After 24 hours, multiple organ failure, cardiomyopathy, agranulocytosis, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, disseminated intravascular coagulation, vascular collapse and shock may occur. Overdosing is very serious and can even lead to death. See a doctor as soon as possible.
Colchicine – use
Colchicine can only be used by adults, i.e. after 18 years of age. In the case of renal failure, the dose depends on the kerinin clearance (> 50 ml / min – 0,5 mg twice daily, 2–35 ml / min – 49 mg once daily, 0,5–1 ml / min – 10 , 34 mg every 0,5-2 days).
In the case of acute gout attacks, 1 mg is used at the beginning and 0,5 mg after an hour. If necessary, the treatment can be repeated after 12 hours. In this case, 0,5 mg every 8 hours should be administered until symptoms improve. Then we stop the therapy. If symptoms persist despite treatment, treatment should be discontinued at the daily dose of 6 mg.
In the prophylaxis of acute gout attacks, it is recommended to use 0,5 to 1 mg / day. Treatment may then continue for a maximum of 6 months from the start of treatment with allopurinol or uricosuric drugs.
Kolchicyna — cena
Colchicine costs about PLN 30-35.
Before use, read the leaflet, which contains indications, contraindications, data on side effects and dosage as well as information on the use of the medicinal product, or consult your doctor or pharmacist, as each drug used improperly is a threat to your life or health.