Gold treatments were one of the earliest
treatments for rheumatoid arthritis going back at least 75 years.
There
is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Medications can slow down the disease, while complementary therapies can help
people cope with the joint pain and stiffness, chronic fatigue, and other symptoms, such as low-grade fevers and
dry skin and eyes.
While
gold injections were once praised for their high rates of remission, their use
has declined and they are no longer being made. This is due to potentially
severe side effects and the development of stronger and better-tolerated RA
medicines.
What
are gold injections?
Gold
injections are made from a compound called sodium aurothiomalate, which
contains gold. Sodium aurothiomalate belongs to a class of drugs called
disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, or DMARDs.
DMARDs
are known for their inflammation-blocking qualities. If inflammation in
the body is not blocked, it can cause the joints and tissues to wear down to
the point of disability in just a few years.
Like
other DMARDs, gold injections reduce the immune system's response. As a result,
they should be used with care.
As
these medications suppress the immune system to stop inflammation, they also
increase the risk of infection. It is therefore important for people to take
care to avoid infections, get treated quickly for symptoms of a possible
infection, and discuss the use of any live vaccines with their doctors.
Examples
of live vaccines include:
·
the
nasal spray flu vaccine
·
vaccine
injections for varicella (chickenpox)
·
the
MMR vaccine (measles,
mumps, and rubella)
Treating
RA with gold
Gold
injections have long been used to treat RA and other inflammatory joint
diseases. They have previously been proven successful for many people with RA.
These
injections are not pain relievers, but they decrease pain because they decrease
inflammation. They may also help in managing morning joint stiffness and
swelling associated with RA.
Gold
treatment was once the norm for treating moderate to severe RA. Its use
goes back to the 1920s when gold compounds were treatments
for tuberculosis.
Researchers
once thought that RA and tuberculosis were related. Eventually, that theory was
debunked, and the idea that gold could treat RA and provide significant symptom
relief was confirmed.
The anti-inflammatory properties of gold compounds are
unknown. However, there has been enough evidence to confirm that gold can
inhibit behavior of substances responsible for production of antibodies and the
release of inflammatory cytokines.
Due to
the number and severity of side effects that they cause, gold treatments are
now rarely used to treat RA and other inflammatory conditions. Doctors are
prescribing other DMARDs instead, including methotrexate, which is considered
safer.
Previous
research has shown gold injections to be just as effective as methotrexate,
according to a historical report of RA treatments in
the medical journal, JSM Arthritis.
Although rarely prescribed, gold therapy remains the most effective treatment
for some people.
How is treatment given?
Gold
injections are injected into a muscle, usually the buttock, by a medical
professional. Individuals need to lie down during injection and wait at least
10 minutes before sitting up or standing to avoid lightheadedness.
Dosage
depends on the person's medical condition, the severity of symptoms, and their
response to treatment. Injections are given once a week until there is
improvement. After that, they are given twice a month or less. If RA symptoms
return or worsen, then an individual will go back to having the injections
weekly.
Gold
injection treatment must be used regularly for the best results. It can take up
to 3 months before people see significant results. People should inform their
doctors if symptoms do not get better or worsen after this time.
Risks
and side effects
Just
like other DMARDs, gold injections may cause side effects, including:
·
dizziness
·
nausea
and vomiting
·
flushing
and sweating
·
lightheadedness
·
increased
joint pain at the start of treatment
·
kidney
disease
People
should inform their doctors of any serious side effects, including any of the
following:
·
eye
pain
·
mood
or mental state changes, such as confusion or hallucinations
·
fainting
·
difficulty
breathing
·
stomach
pain
·
skin
rash or another allergic reaction
·
lower
leg edema
Source: Medical News Today
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