RiteMED Colchicine Mechanism of Action

Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics: The mechanism by which colchicine exerts its beneficial effect in patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) has not been fully elucidated; however, evidence suggests that colchicine may interfere with the intracellular assembly of the inflammasome complex present in neutrophils and monocytes that mediates activation of interleukin-1β. Additionally, colchicine disrupts cytoskeletal functions through inhibition of β-tubulin polymerization into microtubules and consequently prevents the activation, degranulation and migration of neutrophils thought to mediate some gout symptoms.
Pharmacokinetics: Colchicine is readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and peak concentrations occur in plasma by half an hour to two hours.
The leukocytes, kidney, liver and the spleen also contain high concentrations of Colchicine. Most of the drug is excreted in the faeces but 10 to 20% is excreted in the urine and this proportion rises in patients with liver disorder. Colchicine is distributed into breast milk.