Toxic epidermal necrolysis-like reaction secondary to colchicine overdose

Br J Dermatol. 2004 Mar;150(3):581-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2004.05838.x.

Abstract

Colchicine is a microtubule-inhibiting drug used to treat gout, familial Mediterranean fever and many other skin diseases. Intoxication with colchicine affects multiple organs, often fatally. Cutaneous sequelae of colchicine toxicity are rare. We describe the clinical and histological features of a toxic epidermal necrolysis-like exanthem in a patient who lethally overdosed on colchicine.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / physiology
  • Caspase 3
  • Caspases
  • Colchicine / adverse effects*
  • Epidermis / pathology
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Gout Suppressants / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Keratinocytes / physiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Stevens-Johnson Syndrome / etiology*
  • Stevens-Johnson Syndrome / pathology
  • Stevens-Johnson Syndrome / physiopathology

Substances

  • Gout Suppressants
  • CASP3 protein, human
  • Caspase 3
  • Caspases
  • Colchicine