Auranofin treatment for adult rheumatoid arthritis. Comparison of 2 mg and 6 mg daily dose.

Auranofin, an orally effective gold compound, was administered to 2 groups of rheumatoid arthritis patients at 2 mg and 6 mg daily respectively in a controlled study. Both groups showed significant improvement in most efficacy measurements by 6 months. More improvement measurements were observed in the 6 mg group at 3 months than the 2 mg group. Dropout rate because of diarrhea was similar in the 2 groups. Other adverse reactions severe enough to force withdrawal of the test drug were infrequent.