@article{ref1,
title="Colchicine overdose - The need for a specific antidote",
journal="Hospital pharmacy",
year="2010",
author="Fagan, N.L. and Wear, R.E. and Malesker, M.A. and Morrow, L.E. and Schuller, D.",
volume="45",
number="1",
pages="49-53",
abstract="PURPOSE: To report the case of a colchicine overdose to highlight current limitations in the treatment of this toxicologic emergency. Summary: A 23-year-old man was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) after attempting suicide via polypharmacy ingestion, which included 80 to 100 colchicine 0.6 mg tablets (approximately 0.9 mg/kg of body weight). He was taken to the emergency department where gastric decontamination was initiated. Because attempts to obtain a colchicine-specific antibody fragment (Fab) were unsuccessful, only supportive therapies were provided throughout his hospitalization. Over the course of several days, the patient experienced the 3 separate evolutionary phases of colchicine toxicity ultimately leading to multiple organ failure and hemodynamic collapse, and death. <br><br>CONCLUSION: Acute colchicine intoxication is a rare, but potentially life-threatening event. Although 1 case report demonstrated the successful use of a colchicine-specific Fab fragment in the management of acute colchicine overdose, there is presently no commercially-available antidote for colchicine toxicity. Prompt recognition of the overdose, aggressive gastrointestinal decontamination, and supportive therapies directed at the multi-organ failure remain the standard of care.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0018-5787",
doi="10.1310/hpj4501-49",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1310/hpj4501-49"
}