Generic Name: gold sodium thiomalate (gold SOE dee um thye OH ma late)
Brand names: Myochrysine, Aurolate
What is gold sodium thiomalate?
Gold sodium thiomalate is a form of gold. Gold suppresses the inflammatory process.
Gold sodium thiomalate is used as an injection to treat adult and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
Gold sodium thiomalate may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about gold sodium thiomalate?
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience itching, a rash, a sore mouth, indigestion, a metallic taste in the 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 should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking gold sodium thiomalate?
Before taking gold sodium thiomalate, 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 gold sodium thiomalate, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during your therapy if you have any of these conditions.
Gold sodium thiomalate is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether gold sodium thiomalate will be harmful to an unborn baby. Gold sodium thiomalate does cross the placenta, and may accumulate in the tissue of a baby. Do not take gold sodium thiomalate without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Gold sodium thiomalate passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing infant. Gold sodium thiomalate is not recommended for use during breast-feeding. Do not take gold sodium thiomalate without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take gold sodium thiomalate?
Gold sodium thiomalate 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 side effects for 10 to 15 minutes following each shot.
Gold sodium thiomalate can cause serious side effects involving white and red blood cells. Your doctor will want to test your blood and urine before each injection to monitor any changes before they become dangerous.
Do not stop using gold sodium thiomalate without first talking to your doctor. 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 if an overdose is suspected.
Symptoms of an gold sodium thiomalate overdose include blood in the urine, painful urination, fever, sores or ulcers in the mouth, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, and itching. A gold sodium thiomalate overdose can result in death.
What should I avoid while using gold sodium thiomalate?
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.
Gold sodium thiomalate side effects
Stop taking gold sodium thiomalate and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives).
Rarely, other serious side effects may also occur. Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following:
itching or a rash;
a sore mouth, indigestion, or a metallic taste in the mouth;
severe or bloody diarrhea;
easy bruising or a nosebleed;
yellow skin or eyes;
abdominal pain;
seizures;
confusion or hallucinations;
blood in vomit or stools;
blood in the urine or painful urination; or
shortness of breath; or
weakness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, sweating, fainting, and flushing shortly after an injection.
In addition, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Talk to your doctor if you experience any of the following:
diarrhea or loose stools;
nausea, stomach upset, decreased appetite;
changes in taste; or
sores or ulcers in the mouth.
Arthritic symptoms may appear to worsen for 1 to 2 days following an injection and should decrease with subsequent injections.
Gold sodium thiomalate can cause serious side effects involving white and red blood cells. Your doctor will want to test your blood and urine before each injection to monitor any changes before they become dangerous.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Gold sodium thiomalate Dosing Information
Usual Adult Dose for Rheumatoid Arthritis:
Initial dose: 10 mg IM one time as a test dose.
Observe for 15-30 minutes for adverse/allergic reaction.
25 mg IM one week later and repeat in another week. Then 50 mg IM once a week until a cumulative dose of 1000 mg has been reached.
Maintenance dose: 25 to 50 mg every other week for 2 to 20 weeks. If the clinical course remains stable, give 25 to 50 mg every third and subsequently every fourth week indefinitely.
What other drugs will affect gold sodium thiomalate?
Before using gold sodium thiomalate, tell your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription and over-the-counter medicines that you take, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products, so that your treatment can be monitored for interactions.
More gold sodium thiomalate resources
- Gold sodium thiomalate Side Effects (in more detail)
- Gold sodium thiomalate Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Gold sodium thiomalate Drug Interactions
- Gold sodium thiomalate Support Group
- 0 Reviews for Gold sodium thiomalate - Add your own review/rating
- Gold Sodium Thiomalate Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)
- Gold Sodium Thiomalate MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Myochrysine Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Myochrysine Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
Compare gold sodium thiomalate with other medications
- Felty's Syndrome
- Pemphigus
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist has more information about gold sodium thiomalate written for health professionals that you may read.
See also: gold sodium thiomalate side effects (in more detail)
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