Sodium aurothiomalate for arthritis

About sodium aurothiomalate

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is thought to be an autoimmune disease. Your immune system normally makes antibodies to protect you from germs such as bacteria and viruses. In people with autoimmune diseases, the immune system makes antibodies that attack the tissues of the body, although it is not clear why this happens. Sodium aurothiomalate belongs to a group of medicines known as disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and works by suppressing your immune system. It helps to stop your immune system from attacking the tissues of your body and it reduces the damaging effect of the disease on your joints. It is sometimes referred to as 'gold therapy'.

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start having sodium aurothiomalate injections it is important that your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• Om du är gravid, försöker bli gravid eller ammar.

• If you have ever had eczema, dermatitis, or a severe itchy skin condition.

• If you have any problems with your breathing.

• Om du har lever- eller njurproblem.

• If you have ever had a problem with your bowels, called colitis.

• If you have ever had a blood or bone marrow disorder.

• If you have been told you have systemic lupus erythematosus. This is also an autoimmune disease causing inflammation.

• If you have porphyria, a rare inherited blood condition.

• Om du tar några andra läkemedel. Detta inkluderar alla läkemedel du tar som finns att köpa utan recept, samt växtbaserade och komplementära läkemedel.

• Om du någonsin har haft en allergisk reaktion mot en medicin.
  

• Before you start this treatment, ask to read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. The leaflet will give you more information about sodium aurothiomalate injections and a full list of side-effects which you may experience from having it.

• Sodium aurothiomalate injections will be given to you by a doctor or nurse who is a specialist. It is given by injection into a muscle.

• If you haven't had an injection of sodium aurothiomalate before, you will be given a small dose as a test before you are given a normal dose. This is to see how well you tolerate the injection.

• You will be started on a course of regular weekly injections. The usual starting dose is 50 mg. If you respond well to the treatment, the time between your injections will be increased after some months to every two weeks, then every three weeks, and then every four weeks. Treatment with sodium aurothiomalate may be continued for several years.

• It is important that you have the injections regularly. If you miss an appointment for an injection, you should contact your clinic to make another appointment as soon as possible.

• It is important that you keep your regular appointments with your hospital clinic for your injections. Your progress will also be monitored during these regular clinic visits, and your doctor will arrange for you to have regular blood and urine tests. Once a year your doctor will arrange for you to have a chest X-ray to make sure your lungs are working properly. This is because the injections can affect your breathing.

• You should expect that sodium aurothiomalate will build up its effect gradually. This means that you may not notice the full benefit until after 2-6 months of treatment.

• Many people receiving sodium aurothiomalate are also prescribed an anti-inflammatory painkiller for several weeks until it starts to work. Once working, the dose of the anti-inflammatory tablet can be reduced or even stopped. Although painkillers ease the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, they do not alter the progression of the disease or prevent joint damage. You do not need to take them if your symptoms settle with the sodium aurothiomalate injections.

• Sodium aurothiomalate can cause your skin to become discoloured if it is exposed to direct sunlight. On bright days, wear suitable clothing to cover as much of your skin as possible, and use a sunscreen with a high sun protection factor. Do not use sunbeds.

• As far as possible, try to keep active. The muscles around your joints will become weak if they are not used. Regular exercise may also help to reduce pain and improve joint function.

• Om du ska genomgå en operation eller tandbehandling, informera den som utför behandlingen om vilka mediciner du tar.

• If you buy any medicines, always check with a pharmacist that they are suitable to take alongside your other medicines.

Förutom sina nyttiga effekter kan de flesta läkemedel orsaka oönskade biverkningar, även om inte alla upplever dem. Dessa förbättras vanligtvis när din kropp anpassar sig till det nya läkemedlet, men tala med din läkare eller apotekare om någon av följande biverkningar fortsätter eller blir besvärliga.

Viktigt: your doctor will discuss with you the possibility of rare but serious unwanted side-effects from this treatment. Contact your doctor straightaway if you develop any of the following:

• A severe or blistering skin rash, or any signs of an allergic reaction.

• Feeling breathless, dry cough, chest pain.

• Stomach pains and loose, watery stools (diarrhoea), with or without blood present.

• Sore throat, a high temperature, unexplained bruising or bleeding, mouth ulcers, a metallic taste in your mouth, or if you feel generally unwell or tired.

• Any yellowing of your skin or the whites of the eyes.

• Any numbness or loss of feeling or movement, particularly in your legs.

• Difficulty concentrating on things or difficulty controlling your movements.

• Swollen ankles or weight gain.

Om du upplever några andra symtom som du tror kan bero på denna medicin, tala med din läkare eller apotekare.

• Förvara alla läkemedel utom räckhåll och synhåll för barn.

• Förvara på en sval, torr plats, borta från direkt värme och ljus.