Overview

Indium is a soft, silver-white metal used in manufacturing. It is chemically similar to aluminum and gallium. Indiums most common industrial use is in electrodes used for liquid crystal displays (LCDs). Some dietary supplements contain indium.

People use indium for fatigue, aging, boosting the immune system, and increasing hormone production, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Using indium orally can also be unsafe.

Healthcare providers sometimes give an FDA-approved prescription product called indium (In-111) pentetreotide by IV to help diagnose certain types of cancer.

How does it work ?

There isn't enough reliable information available to know how indium might work.

There isn't enough reliable information available to know how indium might work.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Effective for

  • Diagnosing cancer. An FDA-approved prescription drug, called indium (In-111) pentetreotide, is used by healthcare professionals to find certain tumors inside the body. It is given by IV.

Insufficient Evidence for

  • Aging.
  • Fatigue.
  • A condition caused by poor diet or the body's inability to absorb nutrients.
  • Boosting the immune system.
  • Increasing hormone production.
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of indium for these uses.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Indium is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth. Indium is thought to be toxic to many parts of the body.

When given by IV: Indium is LIKELY SAFE when the prescription product containing indium (In-111) pentetreotide is given by IV by a healthcare professional.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Indium is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth. Indium is thought to be toxic to many parts of the body.

When given by IV: Indium is LIKELY SAFE when the prescription product containing indium (In-111) pentetreotide is given by IV by a healthcare professional. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Taking indium by mouth or as an IV is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. The effects of indium on an unborn infant or a nursing infant are unknown. But indium is thought to be toxic to many parts of the body. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Interactions ?

We currently have no information for INDIUM overview.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of indium depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for indium. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.