Colchici semen

Semen colchici, the official preparations of the seeds of autumn crocus contains preparations of the dried and crushed seeds. Treatment with autumn crocus seeds can only be carried out if the preparations are adjusted to an exact amount of colchicine.

ESCOP monograph: no processing

HMPC monograph: no processing

Commission E monograph: positive evaluation for auten gouty attack; Familial Mediterranean fever.

The active ingredients are around 20 different colchicine alkaloids with the main alkaloid colchicine. It also contains fatty oil, proteins and sugar.

According to Commission E: antichemotactic, antiphlogistic, mitosis-inhibiting. Folk use in rheumatic diseases; experimentally in autoimmunological diseases, locally in actinic keratoses.

Acute onset of gout, familial Mediterranean fever. Experimentally topical in actinic keratoses; furthermore in autoinflammatory syndromes like PAFA.

In acute attacks of gout 1mg p.o. followed by repetitive doses (at 1-2 hourly intervals) of 0.5mg-1.0mg. A daily dose of 8.0mg must not be exceeded.

Diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting (see package insert of finished products)

Impaired kidney function, blood work. (e.g. anemia), known gastrointestinal diseases, reduced cardiovascular function, polymorbidity, liver disease, children, adolescents, pregnancy.

Colchicum-Dispert® coated tablet

Colchicine is toxic. The lethal dose is about 20mg. Both drug and pure colchicine are prescription drugs.

1. Dustin P (1963. New aspects of the pharmacology of antimitotic agents. Pharmacol Rev15: 449-480.
2. Faghihi G et al (2016) Topical Colchicine Gel versus Diclofenac Sodium Gel for the Treatment of Actinic Keratoses: A Randomized, Double-Blind Study. Adv Med doi: 10.1155/2016/5918393.
3. Finkelstein Y et al(2010) Colchicine poisoning: the dark side of an ancient drug. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 48: 407-414.
4. Vanoni F et al (2016) PFAPA syndrome: a review on treatment and outcome. Pediatrics Rheumatol Online J 14:38.