Bismacine, also known as Chromacine, is a substance manufactured by American Biologics Corporation and marketed as a purported alternative treatment

Alternative medicine

Alternative medicine is any healing practice, "that does not fall within the realm of conventional medicine." It is based on historical or cultural traditions, rather than on scientific evidence....

 for Lyme disease

Lyme disease

Lyme disease, or Lyme borreliosis, is an emerging infectious disease caused by at least three species of bacteria belonging to the genus Borrelia. Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto is the main cause of Lyme disease in the United States, whereas Borrelia afzelii and Borrelia garinii cause most...

. Bismacine contains high levels of bismuth

Bismuth

Bismuth is a chemical element with symbol Bi and atomic number 83. Bismuth, a trivalent poor metal, chemically resembles arsenic and antimony. Elemental bismuth may occur naturally uncombined, although its sulfide and oxide form important commercial ores. The free element is 86% as dense as lead...

, and two deaths are recorded following the use of intravenous bismacine to treat Lyme disease. In 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned consumers not to use bismacine, noting that it is ineffective and dangerous.