Colchicine (Colchicine)
Overview of Colchicine
Colchicine is alkaloid isolated from the autumn crocus and is used in the treatment of gouty arthritis. It relieves symptoms of gout and helps prevent further attacks.
Indication of Colchicine
Colchicine is primarily indicated in conditions like Acute gouty arthritis, Familial mediterranean fever, Gonadal dysgenesis (turner syndrome), Gout prophylaxis, Insomnia, Recurrent miscarriage (habitual abortion), Secondary amenorrhoea, Severe acute anxiety, Ventricular arrhythmias, and can also be given in adjunctive therapy as an alternative drug of choice in Parkinson's disease or symptomatic parkinsonism.
Contraindication of Colchicine
Colchicine is contraindicated in conditions like Blood dyscrasias,Renal diseases,GI diseases,Cardiac disease.
Side Effects of Colchicine
The severe or irreversible adverse effects of Colchicine, which give rise to further complications include Stomatitis, Paralytic ileus, Peripheral neuropathy, Azoospermia, Acute renal failure, Bladder spasm, Hypothyroidism, Non-thrombocytopenic purpuria, Vesicular dermatitis, Myopathy, Prostration.,Colchicine produces potentially life-threatening effects which include Renal failure, Dehydration. which are responsible for the discontinuation of Colchicine therapy.,The signs and symptoms that are produced after the acute overdosage of Colchicine include Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Stomatitis, Fever, Arthralgia, Cardiovascular collapse, Anorexia, Malaise, Rashes, Shock, Hypercalcemia.,The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by Colchicine are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include Nausea, Vomiting, Alopecia, Anorexia, Diarrhea, Abdominal pain, Rashes.
Precautions of Colchicine
It should be used with caution in debilitated patients or elderly patients or patients with severe GI, renal or liver disease. Perform periodic blood counts in patient receiving long-term therapy of colchicine.