Antimony has few biological or medical applications. Antimony containing medicine is a kind of emetic. Antimony compounds are also used as insect antigens. Since 1919, antimony potassium tartrate (commonly known as tartar emesis) has been used as a drug to treat schistosomiasis. It was gradually replaced by praziquantel. Antimony and its compounds are used in a variety of veterinary medicines, such as Amphymalin (lithium antimony thiomalate) as a skin conditioner for ruminants. Antimony can nourish and regulate keratinized tissues, at least for animals.

Since the end of the 20th century, China has become the world's largest producer of antimony and its compounds, most of which are produced in the tin mines in Lengshuijiang City, Hunan Province. The industrial method of antimony production is roasting first, then reducing with carbon at high temperature, or reducing stibnite directly with metallic iron.