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Publication Type: Medication Safety Notice
Single or Multiple Incident: Multiple
Date: 6/1/2014 12:00:00 AM
Country: Australia

This safety notice discusses the toxicity potential of colchicine highlighting one fatal incident but noting other case reports. The potential lethality of colchicine is not well understood within the medical community and there are ambiguities in the published dosing guidelines. Colchicine toxicity is associated with a high mortality rate. The notice provides information on how accumulation of the drug may occur, indications, and dosing information with dosing adjustments for elderly and those with renal and hepatic impairment. Recommended actions to prevent colchicine toxicity are provided.

Additional Details

Medication/Gas/Fluid:
colchicine, clarithromycin, prednisolone, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs)


Colchicine toxicity can be fatal