Drug Facts

The amount of zinc provided by a product varies with the zinc salt (formulation) contained in the product. For example, the salt zinc sulfate contains 23% zinc and zinc gluconate contains 14.3% zinc. The table above lists the zinc products by the amount of zinc contained in the product.

Type of Drug:

Mineral; trace element.

How the Drug Works:

Zinc is needed for normal tissue growth and repair and for protein and carbohydrate metabolism.

Uses:

To treat or prevent zinc deficiency. Symptoms of zinc deficiency include appetite loss; growth retardation; impaired taste or smell; hair loss; dwarfism; rashes; skin lesions; swelling or inflammation of the mouth, tongue, or eyelids; hangnails; and impaired wound healing.

Unlabeled Uses: Occasionally doctors may prescribe zinc for the common cold, acrodermatitis naturopathic (a severe digestive tract and skin disorder of early childhood), delayed wound healing, acne, rheumatoid arthritis, and senile dementia.

Precautions:

Do not use in the following situations: Allergy to zinc supplements or any of their ingredients.

Pregnancy: Because zinc deficiency is very rare, routine use of zinc supplementation during pregnancy is not recommended.

Breastfeeding: Breast milk concentrations of zinc decrease over time following delivery; extra dietary intake of zinc 7 mg/day for the first

Precautions:

Do not use in the following situations: Allergy to zinc supplements or any of their ingredients.

Pregnancy: Because zinc deficiency is very rare, routine use of zinc supplementation during pregnancy is not recommended.

Breastfeeding: Breast milk concentrations of zinc decrease over time following delivery; extra dietary intake of zinc 7 mg/day for the first 6 months of breastfeeding and 4 mg/day during the second 6 months is recommenced.

Childroll:Consult doctor regarding use in childron under 12 years of old

Drug Interactions:

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or planning to take any over­the-counter or prescription medications or dietary supplements with oral zinc supplements. Doses of one or both drugs may need to be modified or a different drug may need to be prescribed. The following products interact with oral zinc supplements: fluoroquinolones (eg, ciprofloxacin) tetracyclines (eg, oxytetracycline)

Uses:

Type	Generic Name Brand Name Examples	Supplied As	Generic Available
otc	Zinc Gluconate (14.3% zinc)	Tablets: 10 mg, 15 mg, 30 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg	Yes
		Lozenges: 10.5 mg, 23 mg, 30 mg	Yes
	Zinc Sulfate (23% zinc)
otc	Orazinc 110, Zinc 15	Tablets: 15 mg, 25 mg	No
otc	Orazinc 220, Zinc-220	Capsules: 50 mg	Yes
Rx	Zincate	Capsules: 50 mg	Yes

Side Effects:

Every drug is capable of producing side effects. Many zinc users experience no, or minor, side effects. The frequency and severity of side effects depend on many factors including dose, duration of therapy, and individual susceptibility. Possible side effects include:

Guidelines for Use:

• Dosage will be individualized.
• If stomach upset or nausea occurs, take with food or liquid.
• Avoid taking with foods high in bran, calcium, phosphorus, or phylactery.
• Do not exceed the prescribed or recommended dose. Vomiting is likely to occur with doses greater than 2 g.
• Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) _ Adults: 12 to 15 mg
• Common sources of zinc - Cooked dry beans, meat, eggs, liver, sea­foods, wheat germ, whole grain products.
• Store at controlled room temperature (59 0 to 86°F). Protect from moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.

Tagged under:allergy, breastfeeding, drug interactions, during pregnancy, Minerals Electrolytes, skin lesions, zinc deficiency symptoms zinc supplements