Arsenic in Alternative Medicine: Toxic, Unproven, and Dangerous

Arsenic is a potent toxic metalloid with no safe or proven role in alternative medicine.

Why It's Dangerous

• Acute Toxicity: GI hemorrhage, encephalopathy, multi-organ failure, death.
• Chronic Exposure: Skin lesions, peripheral neuropathy, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancers (skin, lung, bladder, liver).
• No Therapeutic Window: Dose-response is steep; "therapeutic" doses overlap with toxic.

Historical Context

Arsenic compounds (e.g., Fowler's solution, Salvarsan) were used historically for syphilis, leukemia—abandoned due to toxicity and better alternatives. Modern use is limited to arsenic trioxide (Trisenox) for APL (acute promyelocytic leukemia) under strict oncology protocols.

Never use arsenic-containing supplements, tonics, or folk remedies. Report adverse events to FDA MedWatch.