Two weeks after starting auranofin, which finding would most suggest toxicity?

Two weeks after starting auranofin, which finding would most suggest toxicity?

• A. Metallic taste in mouth
• B. Rash on trunk
• C. Mouth lesions
• D. Purplish blotches on skin

Answer: (B)

Gold salts like auranofin commonly cause dermatologic toxicity, and a diffuse rash is a classic early sign of a drug eruption from this therapy. When a patient starts auranofin, reactions such as a widespread trunk rash often appear within the first weeks, signaling that the drug is causing systemic toxicity and should be recognized promptly. Mouth-related effects like a metallic taste or mouth lesions can occur with gold therapy, but they are less specific indicators of toxicity in this early period and can occur with milder or local irritation. Purplish skin blotches could indicate a more serious hematologic or vasculitic process, but that pattern is less typical as an early, isolated sign. Therefore, a trunk rash best points to possible toxicity from auranofin in this timeframe.

Gold salts like auranofin commonly cause dermatologic toxicity, and a diffuse rash is a classic early sign of a drug eruption from this therapy. When a patient starts auranofin, reactions such as a widespread trunk rash often appear within the first weeks, signaling that the drug is causing systemic toxicity and should be recognized promptly.

Mouth-related effects like a metallic taste or mouth lesions can occur with gold therapy, but they are less specific indicators of toxicity in this early period and can occur with milder or local irritation. Purplish skin blotches could indicate a more serious hematologic or vasculitic process, but that pattern is less typical as an early, isolated sign. Therefore, a trunk rash best points to possible toxicity from auranofin in this timeframe.