ABSTRACT

Colchicine is an old and effective drug with anti-inflammatory properties; however, its indications have been relatively few, partly due to low therapeutic index and potentially serious toxicity profile of the drug. It is clearly indicated in familial Mediterranean fever (regularly and indefinitely) and during the acute attacks of patients with gout, other indications are less clearly defined. The mechanisms of action of the drug, its administration principles particularly among children and pregnant patients, and possible reasons for poor response or resistance to treatment have been better defined during the past decade. On the other hand, serious toxicity may be more evident due to relative increase in proportion of older patients using colchicine and wider consumption of macrolide antibiotics and statins.