Contents
Uses
- Cesium is an element. In its natural state, cesium is not radioactive. However, it can be made radioactive in the laboratory. People use both forms of cesium for medicine.
- Despite serious safety concerns, non-radioactive cesium is taken by mouth for treating cancer. This is sometimes called “high pH therapy.” According to people who promote high pH therapy, taking cesium chloride by mouth reduces the acidity of tumor cells (raises their pH), which are described as very acidic. But these claims are not supported by science. There is no scientific research that indicates tumor cells differ in pH from normal cells or that cesium affects the pH of tumor or normal cells.
- Non-radioactive cesium is also used to treat depression.
- Healthcare providers sometimes treat cancer patients with radioactive cesium (cesium-137).
- In industry, radioactive cesium is also used in instruments that measure thickness, moisture, and liquid flow.
Cautions
- High doses of cesium might be UNSAFE. There are reports of severe life-threatening low blood pressure and irregular heartbeat in some people who took high doses of cesium for several weeks. There isn’t enough information to know if lower doses of cesium are safe. Some people who take cesium by mouth can also have nausea,diarrhea, and loss of appetite. Tingling of the lips, hands, and feet may also occur.
- Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of cesium during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
- Irregular heartbeat: Cesium might make irregular heartbeat worse. Don’t use cesium if you have this condition.
Interactions
Major Interaction Do not take this combination
- Medications that can cause an irregular heartbeat (QT interval-prolonging drugs) interacts with CESIUM: Cesium might cause an irregular heartbeat. Taking cesium along with medications that can cause an irregular heartbeat might cause serious side effects including heart arrhythmias.
- Some medications that can cause an irregular heartbeat include amiodarone (Cordarone), disopyramide (Norpace), dofetilide (Tikosyn), ibutilide (Corvert), procainamide (Pronestyl), quinidine, sotalol (Betapace), thioridazine (Mellaril), and many others.
Moderate Interaction Be cautious with this combination
- Medications for inflammation (Corticosteroids) interacts with CESIUM: Some medications for inflammation can decrease potassium in the body. Cesium might also decrease potassium levels in the body. Taking cesium along with some medications for inflammation might decrease potassium in the body too much.
- Some medications for inflammation include dexamethasone (Decadron), hydrocortisone (Cortef), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisone (Deltasone), and others.
- Water pills (Diuretic drugs) interacts with CESIUM: Large amounts of cesium can decrease potassium levels in the body. “Water pills” can also decrease potassium in the body. Taking cesium along with “water pills” might decrease potassium in the body too much.
- Some “water pills” that can deplete potassium include chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, Hydrodiuril, Microzide), and others.
Other Names
Atomic number 55, Caesium, Cesio, Césium, Cesium-137, Cesium Chloride, Chlorure de Césium, Cs, CsCl, High pH Therapy, Numéro Atomique 55, Traitement à pH élevé.
References
Source: WebMD, “Cesium”, http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/