GOLD COMPOUNDS

Brand & Generic Names

AURANOFIN
AUROTHIOGLUCOSE
Gold Sodium Thiomalate
Myochrysine--injection
Myocrisin
Ridaura--oral
SODIUM AUROTHIOMALATE

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? No
• Drug class: Gold compounds

Uses

Treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile arthritis.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Capsules--Swallow with full glass of fluid. Follow prescription directions. Taking too much can cause serious adverse reactions.
Injections--Under medical supervision.

When to take:
Once or twice daily, morning and night.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 6 hours late, then go back to usual schedule.

What drug does:
Modifies disease activity of rheumatoid arthritis by mechanisms not yet understood.

Time lapse before drug works:
3 to 6 months.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Confusion, delirium, numbness and tingling in feet and hands.

WHAT TO DO:

• Induce vomiting with syrup of ipecac if available.
• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

Hives, rash, intense Seek emergency itching, faintness treatment immediately. soon after a dose (anaphylaxis).

Common:

• Itch; hives; sores or white spots in mouth, throat; appetite loss; diarrhea; vomiting; skin rashes; fever.
• Indigestion, constipation.

Infrequent:

• Excessive fatigue; sore tongue, mouth or gums; metallic or odd taste; unusual bleeding or bruising; blood in urine; vaginal discharge; flushing; fainting; dizziness; sweating after injection.
• Hair loss; pain in muscles, bones and joints (with injections).

Rare:

• Blood in stool, difficult breathing, coughing, seizures.
• Abdominal pain, jaundice, numbness or tingling in hands or feet, muscle weakness.
• "Pink eye."

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You have history of allergy to gold or other metals.
• You have any blood disorder.
• You have kidney disease.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you are pregnant or may become pregnant.
• If you have lupus erythematosus.
• If you have Sjoegren's syndrome.
• If you have chronic skin disease.
• If you are debilitated.
• If you have blood dyscrasias.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons.

Pregnancy:
Avoid if possible. Animal studies show that gold compounds can cause birth defects. Consult doctor.

Breast-feeding:
Drug may filter into milk, causing side effects in infants. Avoid. Consult doctor.

Infants & children:
Not recommended. Safety and dosage have not been established.

Prolonged use:
Request periodic laboratory studies of blood counts, urine and liver function. These should be done before use and at least once a month during treatment.

Skin & sunlight:

• Skin rash may be aggravated by sunlight.
• Blue-gray pigmentation in skin exposed to sunlight.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Avoid if you have serious adverse reactions or side effects. Otherwise, no problems expected.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without doctor's advice until you complete prescribed dose.

Others:

• Side effects and adverse reactions may appear during treatment or for many months after discontinuing.
• Gold has been shown to cause kidney tumors and kidney cancer in animals given excessive doses.
• May interfere with the accuracy of some medical tests.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Cyclosporine	May increase risk of kidney
	toxicity.
Isoniazid	Increased risk of liver damage.
Non-steroidal	Possible increased
anti-inflammatory	likelihood of kidney
drugs (NSAIDs)*	damage.
Penicillamine	Increased likelihood of kidney
	damage.
Phenytoin	Increased phenytoin blood levels.
	Phenytoin dosage may require
	adjustment.
Tiopronin	Increased risk of toxicity to
	kidneys.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	None expected.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	None expected.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	None expected.
Tobacco:	None expected.