Dosing & Uses
Dosage Forms & Strengths
injectable solution
- 25mg/mL
- 50mg/mL
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Indicated for rheumatoid arthritis in patients who have failed adequate trials of NSAIDs
10 mg IM the 1st wk, 25 mg IM the 2nd wk, then 25-50 mg IM qWk x 20 wk or until toxicity occurs
Taper to 50 mg IM q2-4wk
CrCl <50 mL/min, not recommended
Interactions
Interaction Checker
No Results

Contraindicated
Serious - Use Alternative
Significant - Monitor Closely
Minor

Contraindicated (0)
Serious - Use Alternative (5)
- influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent, adjuvanted
gold sodium thiomalate decreases effects of influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent, adjuvanted by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Immunosuppressive drugs may reduce the immune response to influenza vaccine.
- influenza virus vaccine trivalent, adjuvanted
gold sodium thiomalate decreases effects of influenza virus vaccine trivalent, adjuvanted by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Immunosuppressive drugs may reduce the immune response to influenza vaccine.
- penicillamine
gold sodium thiomalate, penicillamine. Either increases toxicity of the other by pharmacodynamic synergism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Increased potential for serious bone marrow suppression or renal toxicity.
- selinexor
selinexor, gold sodium thiomalate. unspecified interaction mechanism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Patients treated with selinexor may experience neurological toxicities. Avoid taking selinexor with other medications that may cause dizziness or confusion.
- tofacitinib
gold sodium thiomalate, tofacitinib. Either increases toxicity of the other by immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.
Monitor Closely (16)
- benazepril
benazepril, gold sodium thiomalate. Mechanism: unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. Combo of ACE inhibitors and injectable gold has caused rare cases of nitritoid reaction (flushing, N/V, hypot'n).
- captopril
captopril, gold sodium thiomalate. Mechanism: unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. Combo of ACE inhibitors and injectable gold has caused rare cases of nitritoid reaction (flushing, N/V, hypot'n).
- cholera vaccine
gold sodium thiomalate decreases effects of cholera vaccine by immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely. Immunosuppressive therapies, including irradiation, antimetabolites, alkylating agents, cytotoxic drugs and corticosteroids (used in greater than physiologic doses), may reduce the immune response to cholera vaccine.
- enalapril
enalapril, gold sodium thiomalate. Mechanism: unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. Combo of ACE inhibitors and injectable gold has caused rare cases of nitritoid reaction (flushing, N/V, hypot'n).
- fosinopril
fosinopril, gold sodium thiomalate. Mechanism: unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. Combo of ACE inhibitors and injectable gold has caused rare cases of nitritoid reaction (flushing, N/V, hypot'n).
- imidapril
imidapril, gold sodium thiomalate. Mechanism: unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. Combo of ACE inhibitors and injectable gold has caused rare cases of nitritoid reaction (flushing, N/V, hypot'n).
- lisinopril
lisinopril, gold sodium thiomalate. Mechanism: unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. Combo of ACE inhibitors and injectable gold has caused rare cases of nitritoid reaction (flushing, N/V, hypot'n).
- meningococcal group B vaccine
gold sodium thiomalate decreases effects of meningococcal group B vaccine by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Use Caution/Monitor. Individuals with altered immunocompetence may have reduced immune responses to the vaccine.
- moexipril
moexipril, gold sodium thiomalate. Mechanism: unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. Combo of ACE inhibitors and injectable gold has caused rare cases of nitritoid reaction (flushing, N/V, hypot'n).
- ofatumumab SC
ofatumumab SC, gold sodium thiomalate. Either increases effects of the other by immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Use Caution/Monitor. Consider the risk of additive immune system effects when coadministering immunosuppressive therapies with coadministration. When switching from therapies with immune effects, take into account the duration and mechanism of action of these therapies when initiating ofatumumab SC.
- olaparib
gold sodium thiomalate and olaparib both increase pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. Coadministration with other other myelosuppressive anticancer agents, including DNA damaging agents, may potentiate and prolongate the myelosuppressive toxicity.
- perindopril
perindopril, gold sodium thiomalate. Mechanism: unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. Combo of ACE inhibitors and injectable gold has caused rare cases of nitritoid reaction (flushing, N/V, hypot'n).
- quinapril
quinapril, gold sodium thiomalate. Mechanism: unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. Combo of ACE inhibitors and injectable gold has caused rare cases of nitritoid reaction (flushing, N/V, hypot'n).
- ramipril
ramipril, gold sodium thiomalate. Mechanism: unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. Combo of ACE inhibitors and injectable gold has caused rare cases of nitritoid reaction (flushing, N/V, hypot'n).
- sipuleucel-T
gold sodium thiomalate decreases effects of sipuleucel-T by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely.
- trandolapril
trandolapril, gold sodium thiomalate. Mechanism: unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor. Combo of ACE inhibitors and injectable gold has caused rare cases of nitritoid reaction (flushing, N/V, hypot'n).
Minor (0)
Adverse Effects
>10%
Pruritis & rash (30%)
Stomatitis (20%)
Proteinuria (10-15%)
1-10%
Leukopenia
Thrombocytopenia
Frequency Not Defined
Agranulocytosis
Aplastic anemia
Exfoliative dermatitis
Enterocolitis
Liver failure
Anaphylactoid rxn
Nephropathy
Corneal gold deposits (rare)
Warnings
Black Box Warnings
Prescribing physicians should understand severe and fatal toxicities of chrysotherapy
Thorough patient discussion explaining adverse reactions is essential; encourage patients to report any adverse reactions
Monitor for signs of gold toxicity (ie, decreased hemoglobin, leukopenia <4,000/mm³, granulocytes <1,500/mm³, platelets <150,000/mm³, proteinuria, hematuria, pruritus, rash, stomatitis, persistent diarrhea) and establish baseline measurements before prescribing
Should be reserved for use in certain patients with active rheumatoid arthritis
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to gold
History of previous gold-induced disorders (anaphylaxis, necrotizing enterocolitis, pulmonary fibrosis, dermatitis, bone marrow suppression, or other hematologic disorder)
Cautions
Not to be used as sole agent in treatment of RA
No evidence gold compounds induce remission of RA
Gold toxicity:
- Hemoglobin (decr)
- Leukopenia (WBC <4000/cu.mm) [4 x10^9/L]
- Granulocytes (<1500/cu.mm) [1.5 x10^9/L]
- Platelets (<150 x 10^3/cu.mm) [150 x10^9/L]
- Proteinuria, hematuria, pruritus, rash, stomatitis, chronic diarrhea
Discontinue if evidence of anaphylaxis
If nitritoid reaction (flushing, tachycardia, faintness) within minutes of injection, resume treatment only with caution in patients with compromised CV status
Pregnancy & Lactation
Pregnancy Category: C
Lactation: enters breast milk; not recommended
Pregnancy Categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk. C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done. D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk. X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist. NA: Information not available.Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action
Unknown
Gold compound, has anti-inflammatory, antiarthritic and immunomodulating effects; suppresses synovitis in active rheumatoid disease
Pharmacokinetics
Onset of effect: 2-6 months
Protein bound: High
Half-life: 6-25 days
Excretion: 60-90% urine; 10-40% feces