Citation

Yakut HI, Ayar G, Şahin, Yazıcı MU, Gündüz RC, Kalkan G. Nobel Medicus 2015; 11(2): 24-28.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Colchicine is a pharmacological agent used in the treatment of many rheumatic diseases such as gout, psoriasis and Familial Mediterranean Fever. Colchicine toxicity is uncommon and it is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Colchicine is known to have a narrow therapeutic index and the exact toxic dose seems to be unknown. In this article, we review factors that should be considered when prescribing colchicine, its presentation form in pharmacy and storage conditions. Material and Method: We investigated children with the diagnosis of colchicine toxicity retrospectively between 2009 and 2012 in a pediatric intensive care unit.

RESULTS: In this study, we found that ten children were diagnosed with colchicine toxicity in last three years. The ages varied from one to sixteen years, and the amount of colchicine was 0.11 mg/kg to 1 mg/kg. Nine patients took colchicine accidently, one was a suicide attempt. Two patients died because of toxicity.

CONCLUSION: Colchicine has a narrow therapeutic index and it is not possible to assume its precise non-toxic, toxic and lethal dose. Overdose is associated with high mortality and such drugs should be avoided from the easy reach of children. © 2015, Nobelmedicus. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

adolescent; human; child; female; male; Poisoning; multiple organ failure; survival; toxicity; scoring system; retrospective study; school child; clinical article; length of stay; preschool child; stomach lavage; activated carbon; follow up; diarrhea; hypotension; artificial ventilation; nausea and vomiting; colchicine; Colchicine; Article; fresh frozen plasma; prothrombin time; echocardiography; vitamin K group; mitral valve regurgitation; familial Mediterranean fever; left ventricular systolic dysfunction; Pediatric intensive care unit; tricuspid valve regurgitation