USE OF GRANULOCYTE COLONY-STIMULATING FACTOR IN THE TREATMENT OF PANCYTOPENIA SECONDARY TO COLCHICINE OVERDOSE

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of pancytopenia following colchicine overdose and to discuss the use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) for treating this severe complication. CASE SUMMARY: A 19-year-old man developed pancytopenia four days after ingestion of approximately 50-60 0.6-mg colchicine tablets in a suicide attempt. His pancytopenia resolved after subcutaneous administration of one 300-mu-g dose of G-CSF. The patient recovered from his other multiorgan disturbances during his hospitalization and was discharged from the hospital with elevated fiver enzyme concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Colchicine overdose is rare, but can be fatal. The use of G-CSF appears to be beneficial in alleviating bone marrow depression in colchicine overdose situations.