Incidence and management of diarrhea during longterm auranofin therapy.
The incidence, severity, and management of diarrhea during longterm administration of auranofin (AF)--up to 33 months--were evaluated prospectively in 137 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis. At least 1 episode of diarrhea was reported in 101 patients (74%), but the rate of occurrence/patient-months of therapy was 24% (569 events/2,370 patient-months of treatment). The monthly prevalence declined from a range of 30-40% during the initial 6 months to about 10% for patients treated for 18-24 months. Most diarrhea was intermittent and mild; only 11 patients (8%) discontinued treatment because of diarrheal symptoms. No intervention was required in 46 of the 101 patients affected. In 44 others, loose stools were successfully managed with antidiarrheal medications, a reduction in dosage, or both. Although diarrhea is a common event during AF administration, particularly early in therapy, for most patients it usually does not significantly interfere with treatment.
Wallin
B A
BA
Medical Affairs Department, Smith Kline and French Laboratories, Philadelphia, PA 19101.
McCafferty
J P
JP
Fox
M J
MJ
Cooper
D R
DR
Goldschmidt
M S
MS
D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy; D001310:Auranofin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies
D001310:Auranofin