Taking laetrile as tablets has more side effects than having it as an injection.

a liquid to put into the back passage (rectum).

Read more about what alternative cancer treatment is.

improve their health, energy levels and wellbeing.

People who use laetrile believe it might: There is not enough reliable scientific evidence to say laetrile can treat cancer. Cyanide is a type of poison which is thought to kill cancer cells. When laetrile is processed by the body, it changes to cyanide. This might include following a particular diet, high dose vitamin supplements and pancreatic enzymes. It is used either on its own or as part of a programme. Laetrile has been used as an anti cancer agent since the 1800’s. Some people call laetrile vitamin B17, although it isn’t a vitamin. Plants like lima beans, clover and sorghum also contain amygdalin. Laetrile is a partly man-made (synthetic) form of the natural substance amygdalin. Amygdalin is a plant substance found in raw nuts, bitter almonds, as well as apricot and cherry seeds.

It contains cyanide, a poison and can cause serious side effects.

Claims that laetrile or amygdalin can treat cancer are not backed up by research.

Laetrile is a man-made form of amygdalin, a plant substance found in some nuts, plants and seeds of fruit.

There is not enough reliable evidence that it works. Laetrile is promoted as an alternative cancer treatment. Go to the cancer types section for information about treatment for your type of cancer.

Cure for cyanide