Adult: As part of an IV parenteral nutrition regimen: 6.5 mg elemental Zn daily.
Oral Acute diarrhoea
Adult: 10-20 mg of elemental Zn once daily. Duration of treatment: 10-14 days even when diarrhoea has already stopped. Child: <6 months 10 mg elemental Zn. ≥6 months 20 mg elemental Zn once daily. Duration of treatment: 10-14 days even when diarrhoea has already stopped.
Oral Zinc deficiency
Adult: As tab/cap: 50 mg of elemental Zn daily. As effervescent tab: 45 mg elemental Zn once daily-tid. As syr: 10-20 mg elemental Zn once daily. Child: As effervescent tab: <10 kg: 22.5 mg elemental Zn once daily. 10-30 kg: 22.5 mg elemental Zn once daily-tid. >30 kg: 45 mg elemental Zn once daily-tid. As syr: 1-3 year 5 mg elemental Zn. 4-8 years 10 mg elemental Zn. 9-13 years 10-20 mg elemental Zn once daily.
Contraindications
Copper deficiency.
Special Precautions
Renal impairment. Children. Pregnancy and lactation.
Adverse Reactions
Gastrointestinal disorders: Abdominal pain, dyspepsia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, gastric irritation, gastritis. General disorders and admin site conditions: Irritability, lethargy. Nervous system disorders: Headache, dizziness.
Monitoring Parameters
Parenteral nutrition or chronic therapy: Monitor serum level of copper, Zn and alkaline phosphatase; taste acuity, mental depression.
Overdosage
Symptoms: Corrosion and inflammation of the mucus membrane of the mouth and stomach, ulceration of the stomach followed by perforation. Prolonged use of large doses: Nausea, vomiting, headache, fever, malaise, abdominal pain. Management: Excessive intake may be treated with withdrawal of Zn and symptomatic therapy. The level of Zn may be diluted by drinking plenty of milk and water, or IM or IV administration of chelating agents (e.g. edetate calcium disodium at a dose of 50-75 mg/kg/day in 3 to 6 divided doses for up to 5 days). Avoid use of emetics or gastric lavage.
Drug Interactions
Reduced absorption of both Zn and oral Fe supplements, penicillamine, tetracycline, and trientine. May reduce absorption of copper and quinolones (e.g. ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, norfloxacin and ofloxacin). Reduced Zn absorption with Ca.
Food Interaction
May inhibit Zn absorption with phytates (present in cereals, rice, corn, legumes, bran, whole grain breads), milk, or phosphorus containing medicinal products and foods.
Action
Description: Zinc sulfate is a mineral supplement. Zinc is a cofactor of various enzymes which is involved in cell division and growth, removal of harmful free radicals, and normal development and maintenance of the immune system. Pharmacokinetics: Absorption: Incompletely absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. Reduced absorption with phytates. Bioavailability: Approx 20-30%. Distribution: Widely distributed throughout the body with the highest concentration in the muscle, bone, skin, eye, and prostatic fluids. Crosses placenta and enters breast milk. Plasma protein binding: Approx 55% bound to albumin; 40% bound to α1-globulin. Excretion: Primarily via faeces. Small amounts via urine and perspiration.
Chemical Structure
Zinc sulfate Source: National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Database. Zinc sulfate, CID=24424, https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Zinc-sulfate (accessed on Jan. 24, 2020)
Storage
PO: Store between 15-30°C. IV: Store between 20-25°C.
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