Colchicine

Pharmaceutical name: Colchicine

Colchicine affects the way the body responds to uric acid crystals, which reduces swelling and pain. It is used to treat or prevent attacks of gout. It is also used to treat symptoms of Behcets syndrome (such as swelling, redness, warmth, and pain).

Therapeutic actions:
Colchicine inhibits microtubule polymerization by binding to tubulin, one of the main constituents of microtubules. Availability of tubulin is essential to mitosis, and therefore colchicine effectively functions as a "mitotic poison" or spindle poison. Since one of the defining characteristics of cancer cells is the significantly increased rate of mitosis, this means that cancer cells are significantly more vulnerable to colchicine poisoning than the normal cells. However, the therapeutic value of colchicine against cancer is (as is typical with chemotherapy agents) limited by its toxicity against normal cells.
Apart from inhibiting mitosis, a process heavily dependent on cytoskeletal changes, colchicine also inhibits neutrophil motility and activity, leading to an anti-inflammatory effect. Colchicine also inhibits urate crystal deposition, which is enhanced by a low pH in the tissues, probably by inhibiting oxidation of glucose and subsequent lactic acid production in leukocytes. The inhibition of uric acid crystals is a vital aspect on the mechanism of gout treatment.

What is it used for?:
Colchicine is specifically indicated for treatment and relief of attacks of acute gouty arthritis. It is also recommended for regular use between attacks as a prophylactic measure, and is often effective in aborting an attack when taken at the first sign of articular discomfort.

Contraindications and cautions:
- allergy to any ingredient in Colchicine;
- serious stomach, bowel, kidney, liver, heart, or blood disorders.

Side effects:
Serious side effects: severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); fever; infection; numbness or tingling; severe diarrhea; sore throat; tiredness; unusual bleeding or bruising; weakness.
Less serious side effects: diarrhea; nausea; stomach pain; vomiting.

Interactions:
- because the risk of muscle problems may be increase by Fluvastatin;
- Colchicine 's effectiveness may be decreased by acidifying agents (eg, ammonium chloride);
- Colchicine may increase the risk of side effects of Certain stimulants (eg, epinephrine);