In conjunction with rest and non-drug therapy, auranofin is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. It lessens the effects of arthritic symptoms like stiffness in the morning and uncomfortable, sensitive, and swollen joints.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you’re interested in using this drug for any other conditions.

A capsule of auranofin is available for oral consumption. Typically, it is consumed once or twice a day. For it to work, you must take it consistently as directed by your doctor. The full effects of this medication often take 3–4 months to manifest; for some people, it may even take up to 6 months. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Arunofin should be taken exactly as prescribed. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than directed by your doctor.

In some cases, psoriatic arthritis is also treated with auranofin. Discuss the potential dangers of using this medicine for your illness with your doctor.

Before taking auranofin,

• If you have an allergy to auranofin or any other medication, tell your doctor and pharmacist right away.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking, including phenytoin (Dilantin), vitamins, and medications for arthritis.
• Inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, a rash, eczema, SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus), diabetes, bleeding issues, a history of bone marrow depression, or any of these conditions should be disclosed to your doctor.
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking auranofin. Auranofin stays in the body for a long time, so you shouldn’t try to get pregnant while taking it or for at least six months after stopping it.
• Inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking auranofin if you are having surgery, including dental surgery.
• Keep in mind that you shouldn’t consume alcohol while taking this medicine.
• Make a plan to limit your time spent in the sun and to use sunscreen and protective clothes. Your skin could become more sun-sensitive if you use auranofin.

Taking auranofin may upset your stomach. Use auranofin as a small snack or after meals.

As soon as you remember to take it, take the missing dose; then, space out the remaining doses throughout the day. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

Auranofin might have negative effects. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Metal flavour
• Constipation or diarrhoea
• Abdominal pain
• An upset stomach
• Gas
• Vomiting
• Hair fall

Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Tarry or bloody stools
• Skin rash
• Sore throat
• Itching
• Oral sores
• Fever
• Chills
• Abnormal bleeding or bruising
• Urine with blood in it
• Fatigue

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Store it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).

As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Additionally, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Keep all of your appointments with your physician and the lab. To monitor how you are responding to auranofin, your doctor will request a few lab tests.

Inform the person conducting the tuberculin (TB) skin test that you are taking auranofin.

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.