Colchicine toxicity

Background

• Derived from C. autumnale (wild saffron, meadow saffron, autum crocus, naked lady) and G. superba (glory lily)
  • C. autumnale resembles wild garlic
    File:Https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/53/Colchicum autumnale 002.JPG
  • G. superba may be confused for sweet potatoes
• First published in the first century in Pedanius Dioscorides De Materia Medica

Differential Diagnosis

Heavy metal toxicity

• Aluminum toxicity
• Antimony toxicity
• Arsenic toxicity
• Barium toxicity
• Bismuth toxicity
• Cadmium toxicity
• Chromium toxicity
• Cobalt toxicity
• Copper toxicity
• Gold toxicity
• Iron toxicity
• Lead toxicity
• Lithium toxicity
• Manganese toxicity
• Mercury toxicity
• Nickel toxicity
• Phosphorous toxicity
• Platinum toxicity
• Selenium toxicity
• Silver toxicity
• Thallium toxicity
• Tin toxicity
• Zinc toxicity

Evaluation

• BMP
• LFTs
• CBC
• CPK
• EKG

Disposition

• Consult Toxicology or Poison Control Center

References

Schier, J. Colchicine, Podophyllin and the Vinca Alkaloids. In: Goldfrank's Toxicologic Emergencies. 9th Ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2011: 537-547