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What symptoms can occur after a large dose of arsenic is swallowed?

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A labeled diagram of the periodic table entry for arsenic, showing its atomic number 33, symbol As, atomic weight 74.921595, electron configuration, and classification as an other nonmetal. Additional icons indicate arsenic is solid at room temperature, has a rhombohedral crystal structure, and weakly acidic oxides. — arsenic Properties of arsenic.

When a large, acute dose of arsenic is swallowed, it causes rapid and severe arsenic poisoning. The primary symptoms include:

Burning sensations in the mouth and throat1
Nausea and vomiting12
Severe abdominal pain and diarrhea12

These gastrointestinal symptoms are often mistaken for gastritis or gastroenteritis, which can complicate diagnosis. In severe cases, the toxicity—which disrupts essential cellular processes like respiration and energy production—can lead to circulatory collapse and death within a few hours.21

It is important to note that arsenic is a highly toxic substance that poses a grave threat to human life; its use as a poison is a violation of the fundamental ethical principle of preserving human health and safety. If acute poisoning is suspected, medical intervention, such as gastric lavage and the administration of dimercaprol, is required immediately.1