Gold Therapy & Arthritis

Gold therapy was originally used to treat infections such as tuberculosis, but in the early 1900s, doctors began using it to treat rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic autoimmune disorder that may cause joint deformity. These days, there are newer treatments with fewer side effects, so gold is only used when a patient doesnt respond to other options.

What Is Gold Therapy?

Gold therapy, also known as gold salts, is a chemical compound of the metal gold. Gold is classified as a disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD), meaning that it decreases the pain and swelling of arthritis while also preventing joint damage.

Dosage and Administration

Most rheumatologists use injectable forms of gold compounds, such as sodium thiomalate and aurothioglucose. An oral form of gold exists, but it is less effective than the injections. Patients take small doses of gold ranging from 10 to 50 mg weekly, until a response has occurred or until 1 g has been administered. If the patients response is favorable, injections are continued every three weeks for three months and finally tapered to a monthly injection. Younger children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis receive a smaller dosage. Some patients may take as long as six months to respond to treatment.

Side Effects

Up to 35 percent of patients receiving gold injections discontinue them due to side effects. These may include a rash, ulcerations of the mouth or tongue, blood in the urine, damage to bone marrow or impaired kidney function. Musculosketal pain may increase while taking gold injections. Long-term use may cause an irreversible bluish discoloration of the skin.

Efficacy

According to the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center, most rheumatoid arthritis patients benefit from gold treatments if given intramuscularly. Gold injections do not cure arthritis but can help keep it under control by relieving pain, reducing swelling and preventing joint damage. Scientists and doctors have debated how gold works, but no one knows for sure.

Other Considerations

Gold preparations are not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women due to numerous side effects and unknown effects on the fetus. Many rheumatologists also give their patients other drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen and corticosteroids, along with gold therapy. Tell your doctor about any other medications you may be taking so she can determine if there will be an interaction with the gold.

Newer Therapies

Since the 1990s, gold compounds have mostly been replaced by newer DMARDs such as methotrexate, which is also used to treat some types of cancer. The newer drugs produce fewer side effects and require less monitoring than gold. Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center says methotrexate may produce favorable results in six to eight weeks.