Finding into death of Eliza Gill

18y · Female·Colchicine toxicity

An 18-year-old female died from colchicine toxicity after intentional overdose of her father's medications during a mental health crisis. She ingested approximately 10-15g of colchicine (dose 0.25mg/kg), below the guideline threshold of 0.5mg/kg used at that time for charcoal administration. The Emergency Department appropriately consulted poisons information but received advice based on outdated guidelines. While activated charcoal and early toxicology referral might have improved outcomes, the clinicians' management was reasonable given available evidence. The case prompted critical revision of national colchicine toxicity guidelines, which now recommend charcoal for all intentional colchicine ingestions >0.1mg/kg and mandatory toxicology consultation, recognising death can occur at doses below 0.5mg/kg.