noun
definition
A highly toxic alkaloid, chemical formula C22H25NO6, originally extracted from plants of the genus Colchicum and formerly used to treat rheumatic complaints, now used mainly in the treatment of gout.
Examples of colchicine in a Sentence
The chief constituents of colchicum are two alkaloids, colchicine and veratrine.
Colchicine is the active principle and may be given in full form in doses of to 1 1 8 grain.
The British Pharmacopoeia contains (i) an extract of the fresh corm, having doses of 4 to i grain, and (2) the Vinum Colchici, made by treating the dried corm with sherry and given in doses of 10 to 30 minims. This latter is the preparation still most generally used, though the presence of veratrine both in the corm and the seeds renders the use of colchicine itself theoretically preferable.
They contain a volatile oil which does not occur in the corm, and their proportion of colchicine is higher, for which reason the Tinctura Colchici Seminum- dose 5 to 15 minims - is preferable to the wine prepared from the corm.
At present this otherwise excellent preparation is not standardized, but the suggestion has been made that it should be standardized to contain o 1% of colchicine.
The salicylate of colchicine is stable in water and may be given in doses of about one-thirtieth of a grain.
Colchicum or colchicine, when applied to the skin, acts as a powerful irritant, causing local pain and congestion.
Taken internally, colchicum or colchicine markedly increases the amount of bile poured into the alimentary canal, being amongst the most powerful of known cholagogues.
In larger doses colchicum or colchicine acts as a most violent gastrointestinal irritant, causing terrible pain, colic,vomiting, diarrhoea, haemorrhage from the bowel, thirst and ultimately death from collapse.
When that is done, colchicine may be found to exhibit a definite chemical interaction with this hitherto undiscovered substance.
People with low back pain should consult a physician skilled in herbal medicines before taking colchicine due to potentially severe side effects.
The Paulus probenecid study did not appear to show any reduction in attacks without addition of prophylactic colchicine.
Herbs that may be helpful Autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale) is the herb from which the drug colchicine was originally isolated.
The action of colchicum or colchicine upon the kidneys has been minutely studied, and it is asserted on the one hand that the urinary solids are much diminished and, on the other hand, that they are markedly increased, the specific gravity of the secretion being much raised.
The mainstay of treatment for FMF is an oral medication called colchicine, which is highly effective for the fever and pain that accompany the disorder, as well as for amyloidosis and the kidney disease that can result from it.
The frequency of amyloidosis varies among the different ethnic groups, and its overall incidence is difficult to determine because of the use of colchicine to avert the problem.
The diagnosis may be confirmed when a person with unexplained fever and pain responds to treatment with colchicine, since colchicine is not known to have a beneficial effect on any other condition similar to FMF.
Colchicine is an anti-inflammatory chemical compound that can be used as a medication and is frequently prescribed for gout.
In the late twentieth century, colchicine was discovered to also be effective in reducing the frequency and severity of attacks in FMF.
Treatment for FMF in the early 2000s consists of taking colchicine daily.
Studies have shown that about 75 percent of FMF patients achieve complete remission of their symptoms, and about 95 percent show marked improvement when taking colchicine.
Compliance with taking colchicine every day may be hampered by its side effects, which include diarrhea, nausea, abdominal bloating, and gas.
Colchicine is also effective in preventing, delaying, or reversing kidney disease associated with amyloidosis.
Children who are diagnosed early enough and take colchicine consistently have an excellent prognosis.