[Follow-up and therapy of acute colchicine poisoning]

Colchicine poisoning is a rare event. Its outcome is, compared to other drug intoxications, often serious or even fatal. Intaxications with colchicine may occur by ingestion of tablets as well as by consumption of meadow saffron leaves (Colchicum autumnale) that are often mistakenly collected instead of the leaves of ramson herb (Allium ursinum). Colchicine poisoning typically shows three phases: initially gastrointestinal symptoms predominate, in the second phase multiorgan failure may occur possibly leading to death. In case the patient survives, the third phase of recovery follows during which the patients often present with hair loss. The fatal dose of acute colchicine poisoning is estimated at about 0.9 mg/kg. Since hemodialysis and hemoperfusion are not effective measures because of the high volume of distribution, an aggressive primary decontamination with gastric lavage and activated charcoal is required as early as possible. A promising new aspect in the treatment of heavy colchicine overdose is the immunotherapy with colchicine-specific fab-fragments. At present this treatment is still in an experimental stage and has been applied so far to one patient with beneficial effects. Unfortunately colchicine-specific antibodies are not yet commercially available.