Colchicine

Question 1

Colchicine can be stored in a well lit room

Answer 1

False - need to shield from ultraviolet light

Question 2

Colchicine binds to dimers of tubulin, preventing assembly into microtubules

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Colchicine with its PMN suppression and anti mitotic activity, could be beneficial theoretically on both psoriasis and palmoplantar pustulosis

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Prolonged colchicine therapy has also be shown to halt progression in progressive systemic sclerosis

Answer 4

False

Question 5

Dose of colchicine is typically 1.2mg twice a day

Answer 5

False 0.6mg BD

Question 6

Colchicine overdose consists of which clinical features

Answer 6

- cholera like syndrome
—> dehydration
—> hyponatraemia
—> metabolic acidosis
—> renal failure
- ultimately shock

Question 7

Other side effects of colchicine

Answer 7

Leukopaenia
Aplastic anaemia
Myopathy
Alopecia
Azoospermia
Megaloblastic anaemia secondary to B12 malabsorption

Question 8

Monitoring guidelines

Answer 8

FBC, platelet count, serum urinalysis every 3 mo