Colchicine in Dermatology: Rediscovering an Old Drug with Novel Uses

Kabir Sardana; Surabhi Sinha; Soumya Sachdeva

doi:10.4103/idoj.IDOJ_475_20

Colchicine in Dermatology: Rediscovering an Old Drug with Novel Uses

Indian Dermatol Online J. 2020 Sep 19;11(5):693-700. doi: 10.4103/idoj.IDOJ_475_20. eCollection 2020 Sep-Oct.

Authors

Kabir Sardana¹, Surabhi Sinha¹, Soumya Sachdeva¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Dermatology, STD and Leprosy, ABVIMS and Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, India.

Abstract

Colchicine is an anti-inflammatory agent which has been used for decades in the treatment of gout. The drug has a number of dermatological indications like Psoriasis, Sweet's syndrome, aphthosis, Behcet's disease, erythema nodosum, leukocytoclastic vasculitis and is consistently effective in neutrophilic disorders. Thought it is an affordable with minimal side effects, It has remained underutilized. However, it has novel uses and is being considered in COVID-19 due to its action on IL-1β and IL-6. This article presents a concise and up-to-date review focusing on its mechanisms of action and indications.

Keywords: Aphthosis; COVID-19; colchicine; dermatology; familial mediterranean fever; gout; neutrophilic; palmoplantar pustulosis; pustular psoriasis; side effects; uses.

Publication types

Review