[A potentially fatal intoxication with colchicine]

Abstract

Background: Approximately ten times a year the Dutch National Poisons Information Centre (NVIC) is consulted regarding a colchicine intoxication or overdose.

Case description: An 18-year old woman was admitted to the intensive care unit after a suicide attempt with a potentially lethal dosage of colchicine tablets (0.5 mg/kg body weight). After a few hours the patient developed abdominal pain and vomited. Over subsequent days she developed anaemia, thrombocytopenia and a paralytic ileus. Treatment mainly comprised intensive supportive care, including sedation, ventilation and repeated administration of activated charcoal. After a week she gradually began to recover and was able to leave IC 10 days after ingestion.

Conclusion: Early recognition and treatment of colchicine intoxication is crucial to preventing a fatal outcome. Complete recovery is possible if extensive supportive treatment is given.