Colchicine
Microtubule disruption; reduces leukocyte motility and phagocytosis
- Response rate
- ~95% (attack prevention)
- Onset
- Days-weeks (prophylactic)
- Route
- Oral, 1-2 mg/day (adults), 0.5-1 mg/day (children)
- Line
- 1st
- IgM effect
- Normalises SAA/CRP in most patients
Evidence summary
Cornerstone lifelong treatment since 1972. Three seminal 1974 RCTs established efficacy. Prevents attacks in ~95% of patients and prevents AA amyloidosis development. Paradoxically, FMF mutations render pyrin inflammasome activation insensitive to colchicine in vitro — clinical efficacy likely through effects on leukocyte motility, adhesion, and phagocytosis. Safe in pregnancy. ~5-10% of patients are resistant, ~5-10% are intolerant (GI side effects).
Molecular targets (2)
| Molecule | Role | Expression | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pyrin (MEFV) | Inflammasome sensor protein (mutated in FMF) | Gain-of-function mutations | established |
| Serum Amyloid A (SAA) | Acute-phase reactant and amyloid precursor | Elevated | established |
Sources (6)
DetailsGoldstein RC et al. (1974) Prophylactic colchicine therapy in familial Mediterranean fever: a controlled, double-blind study · Ann Intern MedDOI ↗
DetailsDinarello CA et al. (1974) Colchicine therapy for familial Mediterranean fever: a double-blind trial · N Engl J MedDOI ↗
DetailsZemer D et al. (1974) A controlled trial of colchicine in preventing attacks of familial Mediterranean fever · N Engl J MedPubMed ↗
DetailsOzen S et al. (2025) EULAR/PReS endorsed recommendations for the management of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF): 2024 update · Ann Rheum DisDOI ↗