Compound Monograph
Colchicine
Colchicine is a toxic alkaloid from autumn crocus, used in carefully controlled doses to treat gout.
Where Does It Come From? (2)
Colchicine is a naturally occurring alkaloid, found in Autumn crocus and Glory lily. It is flagged as poisonous.
Research & Evidence
Colchicine is an alkaloid from the autumn crocus and glory lily. It binds to the protein tubulin and disrupts cell division and the movement of inflammatory cells, which is the basis of its medical use to treat and prevent gout attacks and to manage familial Mediterranean fever and certain other inflammatory conditions. It is also used in plant breeding to double chromosome numbers. It is a prescription medicine.
Toxicity & Safety
Colchicine is genuinely poisonous and has a narrow margin between a therapeutic and a toxic dose. Overdose can cause severe gastrointestinal illness, multi-organ failure and death, and there is no specific antidote. Poisonings have occurred from both medicinal overdose and ingestion of the source plants, which can be mistaken for wild garlic. It interacts with several common drugs and must be used only under close medical supervision.