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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 is aurothioglucose?

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.

Who should not use 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?

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.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of an aurothioglucose overdose include blood in your urine, painful urination, fever, sores or ulcers in your mouth, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, and itching. An aurothioglucose overdose can result in death.

What should I avoid while using 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.