RESUMO
PURPOSE: Fatigue may be induced by drug. Here, we reported that patients had fatigue after medication with colchicines. METHOD: Eight patients (8 Males, age: 42-72 years old) had fatigue but without weakness as their chief complaints. They all described an inability to maintain a sustained effort, which was ameliorated by rest. RESULTS: The course of fatigue was insidious and progressive (mean 3.1 2.3 months, range 1-7 months) along with medication of colchicines (mean 20.3 5.5 months, range 11-28 months). Fatigue severity scale (patient: before drug withdrawal 5.41 0.19; 4 weeks after drug withdrawal 2.46 0.28; control 2.12 0.45) showed fatigue as their most disabling symptom, sometimes preventing them to carry on professional as well as socio-familial activities. The plasma creatine kinase elevated in these 8 patients before withdrawal of colchicines and returned to normal range in each subject 4 weeks after drug withdrawal. A probable diagnosis of drug-induced fatigue was made when symptom subsided after colchicines were discontinued. CONCLUSION: It is emphasized that side effect of drug should be considered as a differential diagnosis of fatigue in patients having colchicines. Early recognition and diagnosis will prevent serious muscle damage.
