GENERIC NAME: aurothioglucose

BRAND NAME: Solganal

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Aurothioglucose is a gold salt used in treating inflammatory arthritis. Exactly how gold salts work is not well understood. In patients with inflammatory arthritis, such as adult and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, gold salts can decrease the inflammation of the joint lining. This effect can prevent destruction of bone and cartilage. Gold salts are called second-line drugs because they are often considered when the arthritis persists in spite of antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs and corticosteroids).

PRESCRIPTION: yes

GENERIC AVAILABLE: no

PREPARATIONS:: Injectable suspension: 50mg/ml.

STORAGE: Store at room temperature or lower, but keep from freezing. Protect from light.

PRESCRIBED FOR: Aurothioglucose is used in the treatment of active, progressive, or destructive forms of inflammatory arthritis, such as adult and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

DOSING: Should be given intramuscularly using sterile technique.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Aurothioglucose should be avoided by patients with a history of serious reaction to any gold medication, including Myochrysine and Ridaura. It should also be avoided in patients with blood, liver or kidney diseases, recent radiation treatment, or uncontrolled diabetes. Patients should report to their practitioners any new rashes, itching, mouth sores, or unusual taste while taking aurothioglucose. Gold is excreted slowly from the body. Safety and effectiveness in children less than six years of age has not been established.

PREGNANCY: Usage in pregnant or nursing mothers is generally avoided.

NURSING MOTHERS: It has been found in the breast milk of nursing mothers.

SIDE EFFECTS: Side effects of gold salts can occur any time during treatment or months after treatment has been discontinued. The most common adverse reaction to aurothioglucose is inflamed skin. An itching sensation can be an early warning sign of skin reaction (dermatitis). Aurothioglucose can cause grayish blue discoloration of the skin. It can also cause a metallic taste and mouth sores. Because gold salts can cause serious kidney and bone marrow problems, all patients require regular blood and urine test monitoring. An unusual side effect of injectable gold is flushing, dizziness, and fainting immediately after the injection. Patients starting injectable gold are observed after the first dose for this problem. Rarely, patients can have severe allergic reactions to aurothioglucose resulting in shock.

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From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com

auranofin, Ridaura - Source:MedicineNet Rheumatoid Arthritis - Learn more about rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that causes chronic joint inflammation, which has symptoms that include stiffness, fever, muscle and joint aches, loss of appetite, and fatigue. Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis incorporates the use of first-line drugs (aspirin and corticosteroids for pain and inflammation) and second-line drugs (methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine to prevent joint destruction and promote remission). Source:MedicineNet aurothiomalate, Myochrysine - Source:MedicineNet Read 15 more aurothioglucose related articles ... Docs Issue Guideline on Screening for Osteoporosis in Men Health Tip: Foods That Can Aggravate Heartburn Health Tip: Good Shoes Can Prevent Falls Hunger Hormone Makes Food Look More Tasty Several Therapies Show Promise for Vascular Depression Health Highlights: May 7, 2008 Virtual Reality Therapy May Help PTSD Patients Some Weight-Loss Drugs Might Disrupt Brain Growth in Kids Cleaner Air May Threaten Amazon Rainforest Researchers Publish Genome Sequence for Duck-Billed Platypus

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Last Editorial Review: 12/31/1997