Auranofin

Auranofin Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Food Interaction and all others data.

Auranofin is a gold salt that is capable of eliciting pharmacologic actions that suppress inflammation and stimulate cell-mediated immunity. It has subsequently been listed by the World Health Organization as a member of the antirheumatic agent category. Auranofin appears to induce heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) mRNA. Heme oxygenase 1 is an inducible heme-degrading enzyme with anti-inflammatory properties.

Auranofin is a gold salt used in treating inflammatory arthritis. Gold salts are called second-line drugs because they are often considered when the arthritis progresses in spite of antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs and corticosteroids).

Trade Name Auranofin
Availability Prescription only
Generic Auranofin
Auranofin Other Names Auranofin, Auranofina, Auranofine, Auranofinum, Triethylphosphine gold
Related Drugs Humira, hydroxychloroquine, Enbrel, Remicade, Rituxan, Orencia
Weight 3mg
Type Oral capsule
Formula C20H34AuO9PS
Weight Average: 678.484
Monoisotopic: 678.132666497
Groups Approved, Investigational
Therapeutic Class
Manufacturer
Available Country United States
Last Updated: September 19, 2023 at 7:00 am
Auranofin
Auranofin

Uses

Auranofin is an antirheumatic used to treat active, progressive, or destructive forms of inflammatory arthritis.

Used in the treatment of active, progressive or destructive forms of inflammatory arthritis, such as adult rheumatoid arthritis.

Auranofin is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Rheumatoid Arthritis

How Auranofin works

Inflammatory arthritis can cause joint swelling, warmth, pain, and tenderness; one cause of this condition is rheumatoid arthritis. In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, gold salts such as auranofin can be administered to decrease joint inflammation and prevent the destruction of bones and cartilage. Though the mechanism of action of auranofin is not fully established in rheumatoid arthritis, this drug has been shown to inhibit phagocytosis and the release of antibodies and enzymes that play a role in cytotoxic reactions, suppressing the inflammatory response.

Aside from its probable immune effects in inflammatory arthritis, studies have shown that auranofin inhibits thioredoxin reductase. This enzyme has various roles in cell homeostasis, including the regulation of free radicals. Thioredoxin reductase can be over expressed in various types of tumours, rendering it an attractive target for anticancer drug development. Studies have shown that inhibiting thioredoxin reductase can cause oxidative stress and apoptosis of tumour cells by increasing the formation of free radicals. Aurofin's thiol ligand binds with high affinity to thiol and selenol groups, forming irreversible reaction products. One study showed that treatment with auranofin increased the production or reactive oxygen species and caused elevation of intracellular calcium concentration in platelets, leading to cell death. Another study showed that auranofin enhanced the production of free radicals, governing T-cell activation.

Toxicity

Oral, rat: LD50 = > 2000 mg/kg. Symptoms of overdose may include diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and symptoms of hypersensitivity (such as skin rash, hives, itching, and difficulty breathing).

Food Interaction

  • Take with food. Food reduces irritation.

Auranofin Hypertension interaction

[Major] The use of gold compounds is contraindicated in patients with severe hypertension.

Prior to initiation of gold compounds medical problems that might affect the signs and symptoms used to detect gold compounds toxicity should be under control.

Elimination Route

Approximately 60% of the absorbed gold (15% of the administered dose) from a single dose of auranofin is excreted in urine; the remainder is excreted in the feces.

Innovators Monograph

You find simplified version here Auranofin

*** Taking medicines without doctor's advice can cause long-term problems.
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