Colchicine poisoning is relatively uncommon, but potentially life threatening event due to the high toxicity of the drug and ability to precipitate severe multi-organ failure in overdose. Colchicine is used primarily in the treatment of acute attacks of gout and inflammatory diseases. We report a the first case of a 18 -year-old Libyan female who presented to the emergency department approximately 20-28 hours after ingesting 30 mg of colchicine in a suicide attempt. In spite of gastric lavage, use of activated charcoal and supportive measures, multi-organ system failure developed over the following two days, and patient died on the third day after admission. Salient toxicological and clinical aspects of colchicine poisoning are discussed.
Key-words:
Colchicine - Toxicity - Death - Poisoning
