Colchicine Side Effects

Colchicine is an alkaloid, extracted from the corns and seeds of the plant, Colchicum autumnale, which is also known as meadow saffron or autumn crocus. Colchine is a powdery substance, that is pale yellow in color and has been in use for the treatment of gout for a long time. It was in 1820, when it was derived from the plant meadow saffron by French chemists. However, the plant meadow saffron has been in use for the treatment of gout for more than 2000 years. Colchicine is not like the usual analgesics or pain killers, as it does not relieve several types of pain, but has proved quite effective for gout pain only. Read more on what is gout.

Uses of Colchicine
The most important use of colchicine is, that it can relieve pain and inflammation caused by gout disease, which is characterized by defective uric acid metabolism. In this disease, uric acid crystals get deposited on the joints, resulting in joint pain and inflammation. Colchicine is not only effective in easing the pain but also the inflammation caused by the gout disease. It helps reduce the deposition of uric acid deposition in the joints, for which it can be used to prevent recurrences of gout attacks. Other than gout, it has found a place in the treatment of diseases like pseudo gout and pericarditis or inflammation of the pericardium of heart. It is also used in the treatment of some rare diseases like familial Mediterranean fever and amyloidosis. More on gout treatments and joint pain.

Colchicine Side Effects
Over the years, there have been reports of several colchicine side effects. Diarrhea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting are some common gastrointestinal problems, that can affect approximately 80% of the patients treated with colchicine. These side effects may indicate colchicine toxicity, that can result in muscle weakness, kidney failure, respiratory failure and hypovolemic shock. Colchicine ingestion for a long time can lead to conditions like pancytopenia (reduction of the number of blood cells), leukopenia (abnormal low count of white blood cells) and thrombocytopenia (reduction of the count of platelets). Long term use of colchicine may also result in severe diseases like aplastic anemia and bone marrow damage, which hinders the formation of blood cells, and hence, can lead to anemia. Know more about aplastic anemia, symptoms and treatment.

Some rare colchicine side effects (due to long term use) include, glomerulonephritis or inflammation of the glomeruli of the keidneys and chronic and acute renal failure. Again, many individuals may experience hair loss, headache, sore gums, and allergic reactions like, skin rash or hives and breathing difficulties. Certain drugs have reported to interact with colchicine and increase the severity of its side effects. Examples of such medications include erythromycin, clarithromycin, cyclosporine, gemfibrozil, quinidine, telithromycin, etc. Drugs like erythomycin can hinder the metabolism of colchicine and increase its level in the blood, thereby, aggravating the side effects. Therefore, persons taking other medications should to consult a physician before going in for colchicine.

In addition to these, people having blood disorders, bowel disease, nerve problems, stomach ulcers and other gastrointestinal problems, as well as liver and kidney diseases, can have higher risk for developing complications after ingesting colchicine. Therefore, they should seek medical advice before taking colchicine. It is also better to avoid this medicine during pregnancy. Apart from gout and other human diseases, colchicine is used in treating several diseases in dogs and so, they are also likely to experience some side effects of this drug. Nausea along with vomiting, diarrhea and appetite loss are some common colchicine side effects in dogs.

Understanding the colchicine side effects and drug interaction is very crucial for avoiding serious health problems. Also important is to immediately consult a physician, if the ingestion of colchicine is followed by complications like severe allergic reactions, that result in breathing difficulties and swelling, persistent nausea and vomiting, bloody and dark urine, muscle weakness, fever and chill, infection, pain in the inner thigh region and yellowing of eyes and skin.