Is arsenic ever used in medicine?
Is arsenic ever used in medicine?
Arsenic (As) is commonly known as a poison. Only a few people know that As has also been widely used in medicine. In the past years As and its compounds were used as a medicine for the treatment of such diseases as diabetes, psoriasis, syphilis, skin ulcers and joint diseases.
What is arsenic used for today?
Arsenic is a well-known poison. Arsenic is used as a doping agent in semiconductors (gallium arsenide) for solid-state devices. It is also used in bronzing, pyrotechnics and for hardening shot. Arsenic compounds can be used to make special glass and preserve wood.
What medicine has arsenic?
Arsenic trioxide is the generic name for the trade name drug Trisenox®. In some cases, health care professionals may use the trade name Trisenox® when referring to the generic drug name Arsenic Trioxide. Drug type: Arsenic Trioxide is an anti-cancer (“antineoplastic” or “cytotoxic”) chemotherapy drug.
Why is arsenic used in food?
What is arsenic and how does it get into foods? Arsenic is a naturally occurring element that’s found in soil and water. It has also been used by farmers as a pesticide and a fertilizer. It is also used to preserve pressure-treated wood.
What was arsenic used for in war?
Its use as an intentional poison has been known for centuries and occasionally occurs today. A lesser known use of arsenic as an intentional poison is as a chemical warfare agent. Arsenicals were used in World War I by both the Germans and Allies and included arsenic trichloride, dichloromethylarsine, and others.
Do humans need arsenic?
It seems that arsenic has a role in the metabolism of the amino acid methionine and in gene silencing (Uthus, 2003). The recommended dose of selenium is 40 μg per day, whereas extrapolations from mammalian studies suggest that humans might need between 12.5 μg and 25 μg of arsenic.
Is arsenic a poison?
Arsenic is highly toxic in its inorganic form. Contaminated water used for drinking, food preparation and irrigation of food crops poses the greatest threat to public health from arsenic. Long-term exposure to arsenic from drinking-water and food can cause cancer and skin lesions.
What class drug is arsenic?
Arsenic trioxide is in a class of medications called anti-neoplastics. It works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells.
What are the effects of arsenic on the human body?
Taking high doses of arsenic, 5 mg or sometimes less, short-term can cause digestive tract symptoms. Higher doses can also cause severe poisoning and death. Inorganic arsenic is classified as a cancer-causing agent in humans. Drinking water contaminated with inorganic arsenic has been linked to cancer, heart problems, and diabetes.
What are the harmful effects of arsenic?
A persistent headache
What are some common uses for arsenic?
The main use of metallic arsenic is for strengthening alloys of copper and lead to use in car batteries.
