COLCHICINA LIRCA ® Colchicine

COLCHICINA LIRCA ® is a drug based on Colchicine

THERAPEUTIC GROUP: Anti-gout

IndicationsAction mechanismStudies and clinical effectiveness Usage and dosage instructionsWarnings Pregnancy and lactationInteractionsContraindicationsUndesirable effects

Directions COLCHICINA LIRCA ® Colchicine

COLCHICINA LIRCA ® is used in the treatment of acute attacks of gout, in short-term prophylaxis during allopurinol and uricosuric therapy and in the prophylaxis of recurrent gouty arthritis.

Mechanism of action COLCHICINA LIRCA ® Colchicine

COLCHICINA LIRCA ® is a drug based on colchicine, an alkaloid of natural origin, used in the treatment of various diseases.

From the molecular point of view this active principle is able to bind to microtubules, facilitating its depolymerization, and thus preventing the formation of the mitotic spindle and the subsequent cell division.

Recent studies have also emphasized the anti-inflammatory role of this molecule, which justifies its use in acute pathologies such as gout, which has proven to be effective in reducing leukocyte proliferation, in countering the process of phagocytosis and in reducing the secretion of leukotriene B4 ( mediator with strong pro-inflammatory activity able to recruit and activate neutrophils).

From the pharmacokinetic point of view, on the other hand, the colchicine taken orally, is rapidly absorbed at the duodenal level, guaranteeing a plasmatic peak within the next 2 hours to be finally eliminated mainly through the bile duct.

Studies carried out and clinical efficacy

1. THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE ORAL COLCHICINA IN THE TREATMENT OF THE GOTTA

Drugs. 2010 Aug 20; 70 (12): 1603-13.

Clinical trial demonstrating the great efficacy of colchicine in the treatment of acute gout episodes and in prophylaxis. More precisely, in addition to a rapid reduction in pain symptoms, colchicine has proved to be more effective than allopurinol in preserving the onset of future attacks.

2. MYPATHY AND COLCHICINE NEUROPATHY

J Clin Rheumatol. 2010 Aug; 16 (5): 229-32.

Case report that demonstrates how prolonged treatment with colchicine can determine the appearance of neuromuscular pathologies. The biological mechanism imputed in this case seems to be associated with the inhibitory action of microtubule polymerization.

3. APOPTOSIS INDUCED BY COLCHICINA: new therapeutic approaches

Toxicol In Vitro. 2012 Feb 8.

Recent study that shows that colchicine, in addition to the already known activities, also presents an impressive pro-apoptotic activity, potentially usable in the treatment of hyperplastic diseases such as cancer. However, there are no concrete studies on this possible therapeutic application.

Method of use and dosage

COLCHICINA LIRCA ®

1 mg tablet of colchicine.

The acute attack of gout requires the intake of 2-3 tablets a day to be taken immediately before meals, while long-term prophylaxis can be more simply maintained by taking a tablet every other day.

In any case it is necessary to consult your doctor, so that he can define the optimal dosage based on the present clinical picture.

Warnings COLCHICINA LIRCA ® Colchicine

Patients suffering from renal, intestinal, cardiac and hepatic diseases and the elderly should take COLCHICINA LIRCA ® with particular caution and under the constant supervision of their doctor.

In order to avoid dehydration it is important to treat diarrhea when present, supplementing the diet possibly with hydrosaline solutions.

COLCHICINA LIRCA ® contains lactose, therefore its use is not recommended in patients with lactase deficiency, glucose galactose malabsorption and lactose intolerance.

PREGNANCY AND BREASTFEEDING

The use of COLCHICINA LIRCA ® during the gestational period is not recommended, given the presence in the literature of experimental studies that demonstrate the teratogenicity of colchicine on unborn children.

Interactions

The only pharmacological interaction to be reported is linked to the concomitant intake of colchicine and ciclosporin, generally associated with an increased risk of nephrotoxicity and myelotoxicity induced by increased blood concentrations of ciclosporin.

Contraindications COLCHICINA LIRCA ® Colchicine

The use of COLCHICINA LIRCA ® is contraindicated in patients who are hypersensitive to the active ingredient or to one of its excipients, in pregnancy and in patients suffering from cardiac, renal and intestinal diseases.

Undesirable effects - Side effects

Colchicine therapy, especially for acute gout attacks, is very frequently associated with the appearance of gastro-intestinal disorders such as nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Prolonged administration of this active ingredient, in light of its biological activity, could instead lead to agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, aplastic anemia, neurites and vitamin B12 deficiency.

Only rarely was the presence of gastrointestinal haemorrhages, hepatic, renal damage and myopathies observed.