colchicine

American  

[kol-chuh-seen, -sin, kol-kuh-] / ˈkɒl tʃəˌsin, -sɪn, ˈkɒl kə- /

noun

Pharmacology.

1. a pale yellow, crystalline alkaloid, C 22 H 25 NO 6 , the active principle of colchicum.

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colchicine British  

/ ˈkɒltʃɪˌsiːn, ˈkɒlkɪ-, -sɪn /

noun

1. a pale-yellow crystalline alkaloid extracted from seeds or corms of the autumn crocus. It is used in the treatment of gout and to create polyploid plants by inhibiting chromosome separation during meiosis. Formula: C 22 H 25 NO 6

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Etymology

Origin of colchicine

First recorded in 1850–55; colchic(um) + -ine ²

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

colchicine

No serious adverse events were seen, although mild and short-lived stomach or digestive discomfort was more common among colchicine users.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 12, 2025

After Ms. Bowman’s death, investigators collected information about Dr. Bowman’s internet searches, including research they said he had done earlier in August into the drug colchicine, which is used to treat gout.

From New York Times ● Oct. 25, 2023

The medical examiner’s office halted the order for cremation, citing suspicious circumstances, according to a criminal complaint, and an autopsy showed Betty Bowman died from toxic effects of colchicine, a medicine used to treat gout.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 24, 2023

Likewise, the WHO recently recommended against using the gout drug colchicine or fluvoxamine for non-severe COVID-191.

From Scientific American ● Jul. 20, 2022

This latter is the preparation still most generally used, though the presence of veratrine both in the corm and the seeds renders the use of colchicine itself theoretically preferable.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 6 "Cockaigne" to "Columbus, Christopher" by Various

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