Auranofin

Drug #65

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.

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Primary Characteristics

It is of Synthetic origin and belongs to Gold Compound.

It belongs to Immune Modifiers pharmacological group on the basis of mechanism of action and also classified in NSAIDs pharmacological group. It is also classified under Analgesics and Anti-inflammatory Agents .

Molecular Weight: 678.5 · Solubility in Water: 1 in 5900 · Solubility in Alcohol: 1 in 27 · Non-proprietary name: Auranofin.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Auranofin has an oral bioavailability is 23% (±10%), pre-systemic (first-pass) metabolism accounts for 12.5% (±12.5%).

Distribution: Auranofin has a plasma protein binding is 60%.

Elimination: plasma half-life is 17-25 days, renal excretion is 60%.

Indications

Auranofin is primarily indicated in conditions like Dyspepsia, Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, Nausea and vomiting, Rheumatoid arthritis.

Contraindications

Auranofin is contraindicated in conditions like Necrotizing enterocolitis, Pulmonary fibrosis, Bone marrow aplasia, Blood dyscrasias, Systemic lupus erythematosus, Dermatitis, Renal diseases, Hepatic disease.

Dosage

Auranofin's dosage details are as follows:

Dose	Single Dose	Frequency	Route	Instructions
Adult Dosage
0.086 mg/kg	0.086 mg/kg	Every 24h	PO	As Required
Paediatric Dosage (20kg)
0 – 0	—	—	—	Not Recommended in this Age Group
Neonatal Dosage (3kg)
0 – 0	—	—		Not rexcommended in this age group

Drug Interactions

Unknown1 interaction

Always consult your physician for the change of dose regimen or an alternative drug of choice that may strictly be required.

Side Effects

Auranofin produces potentially life-threatening effects which include Thrombocytopenia , Bone marrow aplasia. Careful monitoring is needed with proper medical management.

The signs and symptoms that are produced after acute overdosage of Auranofin are Encephalopathy, Peripheral nephropathy.

Auranofin is known to cause more or less tolerable side effects which are usually transient. These include Conjunctivitis, Diarrhea, Dyspepsia , Flatulence, Metallic taste, Proteinuria , Rashes , StomatitisX.

Warnings / Precautions

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.

Available Brands

None recorded.

Storage Conditions

Auranofin should be stored Caps.

Drug Classification

1.2.4 — Disease modifying antirheumatic drugs