FATAL INTOXICATION WITH COLCHICINE

Introduction: Colchicine is a medication with anti-inflammatory properties, which is used in gouty arthritis, familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) and consequently developing amyloidosis. Colchicine poisoning is associated with a bad outcome and can be fatal. Deaths generally occur because of hypovolemic shock and cardiovascular collapse or secondary to rapidly progressive multiorgan failure. Case presentation: The present study is about a 20-year-old female patient who had taken 20 tablets of 0.5 mg/tb colchicine (0.2 mg/kg) for suicidal purpose. The treatments applied at each stage are explained with details. Conclusion: Colchicine has a narrow therapeutic index and no clear-cut distinction between non-toxic, toxic, and lethal doses. In our case, the patient who had taken low-dose colchicine (0.2 mg/kg) died despite of all the treatments. Death with a such low dose is rare.