Gold Sodium Thiomalate

Generic name: Gold Sodium Thiomalate [ gold-SOW-dee-um-thye-oh-MAL-ate ]
Drug class: Antirheumatics

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 26, 2022.

Uses of Gold Sodium Thiomalate:

• It is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
• It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Gold Sodium Thiomalate?

• If you have an allergy to gold sodium thiomalate or any other part of gold sodium thiomalate.
• If you are allergic to gold sodium thiomalate; any part of gold sodium thiomalate; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have had a very bad reaction to gold products in the past.
• If you are taking penicillamine.
• If you are breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed while you take gold sodium thiomalate.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with gold sodium thiomalate.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take gold sodium thiomalate with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Gold Sodium Thiomalate?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take gold sodium thiomalate. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using gold sodium thiomalate while you are pregnant.

How is this medicine (Gold Sodium Thiomalate) best taken?

Use gold sodium thiomalate as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• It is given as a shot into a muscle.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Call your doctor to find out what to do.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of kidney problems like unable to pass urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine, or a big weight gain.
• Signs of liver problems like dark urine, feeling tired, not hungry, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.
• Signs of lupus like a rash on the cheeks or other body parts, sunburn easy, muscle or joint pain, chest pain or shortness of breath, or swelling in the arms or legs.
• Mouth irritation or mouth sores.
• Metallic taste.
• Flushing.
• Very bad dizziness or passing out.
• Severe diarrhea.
• Diarrhea that will not go away.
• This medicine has gold in it. This can cause severe and sometimes deadly side effects. Tell your doctor right away if you feel very tired or weak or if you have any unexplained bruising or bleeding, blood in the urine, itching, rash, mouth irritation or mouth sores, or severe diarrhea. Tell your doctor right away if you have any signs of infection like a fever, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, or a wound that will not heal.
• A very bad and sometimes deadly bowel problem (ulcerative enterocolitis) has rarely happened with gold sodium thiomalate. Call your doctor right away if you have very bad stomach pain; black, tarry, or bloody stools; or throwing up blood or throw up that looks like coffee grounds.

What are some other side effects of Gold Sodium Thiomalate?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Diarrhea.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Gold Sodium Thiomalate?

• If you need to store gold sodium thiomalate at home, talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about gold sodium thiomalate, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer