[Reactions against sodium-auro-thiomalate in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis]

The authors report the case of a 58 year old female patient with rheumatoid arthritis. About 4 hours after each intramuscular injection of Myochrysin (Sodium-auro-thiomalate 5%) she showed undesired reactions such as sialorrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, apathy, weakness, head ache, breast swelling, perspiration, feeling of incident death. The following day these symptoms declined, the joint pain, however, increased. The reaction recurred with each of the 5 Sodium-auro-thiomalate injections, but not after injections of 5% Solganal (Aurothioglucose). It is supposed that these side effects are connected with the quick absorption of the Sodium-auro-thiomalate in aqueous solution. The Aurothioglucose in oil suspension would not cause such reactions after an intramuscular injection because of its slower absorption.