Auranofin is not indicated in other arthropathies, such as osteoarthritis. In patients with a history of serious gold-induced toxicity such as necrotizing enterocolitis, pulmonary fibrosis, exfoliative dermatitis or hypersensitivity. Auranofin should not be prescribed for patients with progressive renal disease, severe hepatocellular disease, bone marrow aplasia or other severe hematological disorders. Therefore, it should not be given to pregnant women. Furthermore, women of childbearing potential should be made aware of the necessity to avoid pregnancy during treatment and for at least 6 months after because of the slow excretion of gold and its persistence in the body tissues after discontinuation of treatment.
Gold is excreted in rodent milk following the administration of auranofin.
Therefore, it is recommended that Ridaura should not be given during nursing. Auranofin contains gold and, like other gold-containing drugs, can cause gold toxicity. Patients should be advised to report promptly any unusual signs and symptoms occurring during treatment such as sore throat or tongue, mouth ulceration, skin rash, easy bruising, purpura, epistaxis, bleeding gums or menorrhagia. The thrombocytopenia appears to be peripheral in origin in most cases and is usually reversible upon withdrawal of Ridaura. Its onset bears no relationship to the duration of therapy and its course may be rapid.