Aurothioglucose is a form of gold. Gold suppresses the inflammatory process.
Aurothioglucose is used by injection to treat adult and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
Although not approved by the FDA for these purposes, aurothioglucose has also been
used with corticosteroids to treat pemphigus and to treat psoriatic arthritis in patients who have
not responded to or cannot tolerate nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Aurothioglucose may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication
guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking aurothioglucose?
Before taking aurothioglucose, tell your doctor if you
have ever had any type of reaction to a gold compound or to any
other medication;
have a history of bone marrow depression or blood
problems;
have kidney disease;
have liver disease;
have congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, or any
other type of heart disease;
have diabetes;
have inflammatory bowel disease;
have a rash; or
have severe lung disease.
You may not be able to take aurothioglucose, or you may require a
lower dose or special monitoring during your therapy if you have any of these conditions.
Aurothioglucose is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not
known whether aurothioglucose will harm an unborn baby. Aurothioglucose does cross the
placenta, and it accumulates in the tissue of a baby. Do not take aurothioglucose without first
talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
Aurothioglucose passes into the breast milk and can affect a nursing infant.
Aurothioglucose is not recommended for use during breast feeding. Do not take aurothioglucose
without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take aurothioglucose?
Aurothioglucose is given by injection. Your doctor or nurse will administer your doses,
usually on a weekly basis to begin with, then every other week to monthly, depending upon your
response to the medication.
You may want to lie down after injections, and your doctor will want to monitor you for
any type of adverse reaction for 10 to 15 minutes following each shot.
Do not stop using aurothioglucose unless your doctor approves. It may take up to 3
months for you to see any effects from this medication, and it may be 6 months or more before
the full benefits are realized.
What happens if I miss a dose of aurothioglucose?
Doses are given on a weekly basis. You should receive the missed dose as soon as
possible, but a double dose should not be injected to make up for a missed dose.
Where can I get more information about aurothioglucose?
Your pharmacist has information about aurothioglucose written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of aurothioglucose?
Stop taking aurothioglucose and seek emergency medical attention if you experience
an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or
face; or hives).
Rarely, other serious side effects may also occur. Call your doctor immediately if you
experience any of the following:
itching or a rash;
a sore mouth, indigestion, or a metallic taste in your mouth;
severe or bloody diarrhea;
easy bruising or a nosebleed;
yellow skin or eyes;
abdominal pain;
seizures;
confusion or hallucinations;
blood in your vomit or stools;
blood in your urine or painful urination;
shortness of breath; or
weakness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, sweating, fainting
and flushing shortly after an injection.
Arthritic symptoms may appear to worsen for 1 to 2 days following an
injection and should decrease with subsequent injections.
In addition, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Talk to your doctor if
you experience any of the following:
diarrhea or loose stools;
nausea, stomach upset, decreased appetite;
changes in taste; or
sores or ulcers in your mouth.
Aurothioglucose can cause serious side effects involving white and red
blood cells. Your doctor will want to regularly test your blood and urine before each injection to
monitor any changes before they become dangerous.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any
that seem unusual or that are especially bothersome.
What is the most important information I should know about aurothioglucose?
Call your doctor immediately if you experience itching, a rash, a sore mouth, indigestion,
a metallic taste in your mouth, severe or bloody diarrhea, easy bruising or a nosebleed. These
could be early signs of a toxic effect.
In rare cases, exposure to sunlight may cause areas of the skin to turn a bluish-gray
color. To lessen this effect, minimize exposure to sunlight and wear a sunscreen and protective
clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable.
What should I avoid while taking aurothioglucose?
In rare cases, exposure to sunlight may cause areas of the skin to turn a bluish-gray
color. To lessen this effect, minimize exposure to sunlight and wear a sunscreen and protective
clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable.
What other drugs will affect aurothioglucose?
Before taking aurothioglucose, tell your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription and
over-the-counter medicines that you take so that your therapy can be monitored for interactions.
What happens if I have an overdose of aurothioglucose?
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not
warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does
not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist
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drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any
given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
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interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse
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Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009