Dr. Gbemudu received her B.S. in Biochemistry from Nova Southeastern University, her PharmD degree from University of Maryland, and MBA degree from University of Baltimore. She completed a one year post-doctoral fellowship with Rutgers University and Bristol Myers Squibb.
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Aurothioglucose is a gold-containing chemical
(salt) used for treating rheumatoid arthritis. Other gold salts available
include injectable gold sodium thiomalate (Myochrysine), and capsules, auranofin
(Ridaura). It is not well understood exactly how gold salts work. In patients
with inflammatory arthritis, such as adult and
juvenile rheumatoid arthritis,
gold salts can decrease the inflammation of the joint lining. This effect
prevents the inflammation from destroying the bone and cartilage surrounding the
joints and prevents or slows the development of deformities of the joints.
Because of their ability to prevent deformities, gold salts are referred to as
disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Gold salts also may be referred
to as second-line drugs because they are often considered when the arthritis
persists in spite of the use of anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs and
corticosteroids). The term, second-line, however, is misleading since in general
anti-inflammatory drugs and DMARDs are used together since they have different
mechanisms of action and have additive effects. DMARDs like aurothioglucose may
take weeks to months to become effective.
PRESCRIPTION: Yes
GENERIC AVAILABLE: No
PREPARATIONS: Injectable suspension: 50 mg/ml.
STORAGE: Aurothioglucose should be stored at room temperature between 59 and
86 F (15-30 C) away from light and moisture and should not be frozen.
PRESCRIBED FOR: Aurothioglucose is used in the treatment of active,
progressive, or destructive forms of inflammatory arthritis, such as adult and
juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Off label (non-FDA approved) uses include
Felty's
Syndrome (a rare disorder that includes rheumatoid arthritis, a swollen spleen,
and decreased white blood cell count) and psoriatic arthritis.
DOSING: The usual initial adult dose is 10 mg followed by 25 mg for the
second and third doses, then 50 mg weekly until 0.8 to1 g has been administered.
The usual dose for children is one-fourth of the adult dose of aurothioglucose,
exceeding 25 mg per dose.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: The concurrent use of penicillamine (Cuprimine, Depen) and
aurothioglucose should be avoided as the combination decreases the levels and
efficacy of both drugs due to chelation (binding) of the gold salt to the
penicillamine.
PREGNANCY: There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant
women. Aurothioglucose should be used during
pregnancy only if the potential
benefit to the mother justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
NURSING MOTHERS: Aurothioglucose has been found in the
breast milk of women. Due to the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants,
decisions should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the
drug.
SIDE EFFECTS: The most common adverse reaction to aurothioglucose is
dermatitis (skin inflammation), pruritus (itching), stomatitis (inflammation
affecting the structures in the mouth such as cheeks, gums, tongue, lips,
throat).
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints, the tissue around the joints, as well as other organs in the body. Because it can affect multiple other organs of the body, rheumatoid arthritis is referred to as a systemic illness and is sometimes called rheumatoid disease.
Arthritis is inflammation of one or more joints. When joints are inflamed they can develop stiffness, warmth, swelling, redness and pain. There are over 100 types of
arthritis including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, lupus, gout,
and pseudogout.
Psoriatic arthritis is a disease that causes skin and joint inflammation. Symptoms include painful, stiff, and swollen joints, tendinitis, and organ inflammation. Treatment involves antiinflammatory medications and exercise.
Juvenile arthritis (juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or JRA) annually affects one child in every thousand. There are three types of JRA: pauciarticular (less than four joints affected), polyarticular (more than four joints affected), and systemic-onset (inflamed joints with high fevers and rash). Treatment of juvenile arthritis depends upon the type the child has and should focus on treating the symptoms that manifest.
Felty's syndrome is a complication of long-term rheumatoid arthritis. Felty's syndrome is defined by the presence of three conditions: rheumatoid arthritis, an enlarged spleen, and an abnormally low white blood count. Treatment of Felty's syndrome is not always required; however, treatment for patients with infections is available.
Felty's syndrome is a complication of long-standing rheumatoid arthritis. Felty's
syndrome is defined by the presence of three conditions: rheumatoid arthritis, an enlarged spleen (splenomegaly),
and an abnormally low white blood count. Felty's syndrome is uncommon. It affects less than 1% of patients with rheumatoid
arthritis.
What are the symptoms of Felty's syndrome?
Some patients with Felty's syndrome have more infections, such as pneumonia or skin
infections, than the average person. This increased susceptibility to infections
is attributed to the low white blood counts that are characteristic of Felty's syndrome. Ulcers in the skin over the legs can complicate
Felty's syndrome.
What causes Felty's syndrome?
The cause of Felty's syndrome is not known. Some patients with rheumatoid arthritis develop Felty's syndrome but most do not. White blood cells are prod...
Arthritis RSS
Healthy Living Tips
This site complies with the