Auranofin: an oral chrysotherapeutic agent for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Auranofin, an oral chrysotherapeutic agent, administered at 3.0 mg. b.i.d., p.o. to eight rheumatoid arthritic patients produced improvement in objective and subjective clinical signs, as well as biochemical and immunological parameters. Adverse effects reported were minimal and generally limited to gastrointestinal disturbances. During auranofin administration, gold concentrations in the blood gradually increased to a mean level of 0.70 microgram Au/ml by week 12 of treatment. Daily oral administration of auranofin appears to provide constant blood gold levels over longer periods of time compared to existing parenteral gold therapy and may provide an improved method of controlling chrysotherapy in rheumatoid arthritic patients.