Antimony
Sb
51
121.76
1s22s22p63s23p63d104s24p64d10
5s25p3
Biological significance

➤ In the human body, 10-6% accumulates in the kidneys and liver.

Excess in the body

➤ Excessive amounts of Stibium cause intoxication, pharyngeal reflex, gastrointestinal disorders, abdominal cramps, osteoporosis, and nephropathy.

Deficiency in the body

➤ Possible radioactive exposure of cells of living organisms.

Drugs/dose

➤ C8H8KO12Sb2 is used in individual doses.


➤ Sb2S5 - serves as an effective mucolytic (expectorant) agent.

Conventional medicine

➤ It is important in the treatment of gastritis, heartburn, flatulence, and diseases caused by parasites (Leishmania and Trypanosoma).

Unconventional medicine

➤ Antimony has been used to treat certain parasitic diseases.


➤ Relieves symptoms of eye irritation in gonoblenorrhea and other diseases of the visual analyzer.

➤ It is used as an antihistamine.

➤ It has a mucolytic effect and causes a pharyngeal reflex.

➤ It is one of the components of the vomit stone KC4H4O6(SbO)·H2O.

Toxic effect/antidote

➤ When high concentrations of SbH₃ are absorbed, the destruction of blood cells (red blood cells) is activated, which leads to hemolysis and bleeding of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract.

➤ It has the ability to form carcinomas.


➤ There is no specific antidote.

Interesting facts

➤ The trumpet has been known since prehistoric times.

➤ Free antimony is produced using pyrometallurgical or hydrometallurgical methods.

➤ Printing metal contains 75% Sb.

➤ The "medical plague" contains Sb2S5 : it is red and very elastic.

➤ The antimony "bacterium" uses only Sb2O3.



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