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Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies
Home > FACT > FACT contents > Volume 9 2004 > Volume 9:3 September 2004 > Short Reports > Homoeopathy

Focus Altern Complement Ther 2004; 9: 233

Homoeopathy

Three cases of arsenic poisoning after homoeopathy

Case 1 presented with melanosis and keratosis following short-term use of Arsenic Bromide 1-X followed by long-term use of other arsenic-containing homoeopathic preparations. Case 2 developed melanotic arsenical skin lesions after taking Arsenicum Sulfuratum Flavum-1-X (Arsenic S.F. 1-X) in an effort to treat his white skin patches. Case 3 consumed Arsenic Bromide 1-X for 6 days in an effort to treat his diabetes and developed an acute gastrointestinal illness followed by leukopaenia, thrombocytopaenia and diffuse dermal melanosis with patchy desquamation. Within approximately 2 weeks, he developed a toxic polyneuropathy, resulting in quad-riparesis. Arsenic concentrations in all three patients were significantly elevated in integument tissue samples. In all three cases, arsenic concentrations in drinking water were normal but arsenic concentrations in samples of the homoeopathic medications were elevated. The authors therefore think that a causal relationship between the homoeopathic medication and the arsenic poisoning is possible.

Chakraborti D, Mukherjee SC, Saha KC et al. Arsenic toxicity from homeopathic treatment. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 2003; 41: 963–7. [Abstract]
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