Colchicine

Colchicine is absorbed readily after oral administration. Metabolites of the drug are excreted in the intestinal tract and urine.

Colchicine dramatically relieves the pain and inflammation of gouty arthritis without altering the metabolism or excretion of urates and without other analgesic effects. Colchicine produces its anti-inflammatory effects by inhibition of leukocyte migration and phagocytosis. It also inhibits the formation of leukotriene B4.

Indications: Colchicine is used for alleviating the inflammation of acute gouty arthritis.

Adverse Effects: Colchicine often causes diarrhea and may occasionally cause nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Colchicine may rarely cause hair loss and bone marrow depression as well as peripheral neuritis and myopathy. Acute intoxication after ingestion of large (nontherapeutic) doses of the alkaloid is characterized by burning throat pain, bloody diarrhea, shock, hematuria, and oliguria.