Blood and serum concentrations of gold after a single dose of auranofin in children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Three children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis were given a single oral dose of approximately 0.1 mg/kg of auranofin. Blood concentrations up to 49 ng/ml were detectable at 24 h (earliest sample) and remained detectable for at least 2 weeks (final sample). Disappearance of measurable gold from both the blood and serum appeared to be linear through time. None of the patients experienced significant laboratory abnormalities nor adverse reactions. Gold levels attained in these children were somewhat lower than those seen in adults administered an equivalent dose.