1. An organic compound containing arsenic, formerly used as a drug to treat syphilis and other infections before the development of antibiotics.
Usage: historical; medical; also known as Salvarsan

Examples

• Arsphenamine was a breakthrough treatment for syphilis in the early 20th century.
• The discovery of arsphenamine marked an important milestone in chemotherapy.
• Before penicillin became available, arsphenamine was one of the few effective treatments for bacterial infections.
• Arsphenamine injections carried significant side effects and risks for patients.
• The use of arsphenamine declined sharply after antibiotics were introduced.