Auranofin (Auranofin)
Overview of Auranofin
Auranofin is a substituted gold thioglucose derivative (29% gold), like other gold compounds, it exhibits antiarthritic, antiinflammatory, and immunomodulating properties. Gold compounds are known as disease-modifying drugs because they actually are capable of arresting the progression of rheumatoid arthritis and inducing remissions in some patients.Auranofin is the only gold compound available for oral administration. Auranofin is an antiarthritic agent used to treat early active cases of both adult and juvenile types of rheumatoid arthritis. The drug is less effective against advanced, chronic cases of rheumatoid arthritis, and it typically is employed only when salicylates or other NSAIDs do not provide satisfactory relief. Introduction of an oral gold preparation (it) stimulated a number of large clinical studies during the 1980s. These studies suggest that the oral preparartion has modest effects at best and that its benefits may not differ significantly from those of NSAIDs in some types of arthritis.
Indication of Auranofin
Auranofin is primarily indicated in conditions like Dyspepsia, Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, Nausea and vomiting, Rheumatoid arthritis.
Contraindication of Auranofin
Auranofin is contraindicated in conditions like Necrotizing enterocolitis,Pulmonary fibrosis,Bone marrow aplasia,Blood dyscrasias,Systemic lupus erythematosus,Dermatitis,Renal diseases,Hepatic disease.
Side Effects of Auranofin
Auranofin produces potentially life-threatening effects which include Thrombocytopenia, Bone marrow aplasia. which are responsible for the discontinuation of Auranofin therapy.,The signs and symptoms that are produced after the acute overdosage of Auranofin include Encephalopathy, Peripheral nephropathy.,The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by Auranofin are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include Flatulence, Diarrhea, Rashes, Dyspepsia, StomatitisX, Metallic taste, Conjunctivitis, Proteinuria.
Precautions of Auranofin
Do not use Penicillamine or antimalarial with gold salts such as auranofin. Before initiating treatment rule out pregnancy, perform complete blood count, urine analysis, liver and renal function test. It should be used with caution in patients with compromised cardiovascular or cerebral circulation. It is classified as pregnacy category C and should be used with extreme caution during pregnancy only if clearly needed.