Zinc Supplements (Systemic)
Category- Copper absorption inhibitor - Zinc Chloride; Zinc Gluconate; Zinc Sulfate
- Nutritional
supplement, mineral - Zinc Chloride; Zinc Gluconate; Zinc
Sulfate
DescriptionZinc supplements are used to prevent or treat zinc deficiency.
The body needs zinc for normal growth and health. For patients who are
unable to get enough zinc in their regular diet or who have a need for more
zinc, zinc supplements may be necessary. They are generally taken by mouth
but some patients may have to receive them by injection.
Zinc supplements may be used for other conditions as determined by your
health care professional.
Lack of zinc may lead to poor night vision and wound-healing, a decrease
in sense of taste and smell, a reduced ability to fight infections, and poor
development of reproductive organs.
Some conditions may increase your need for zinc. These include:
-
Acrodermatitis enteropathica (a lack of absorption of zinc from the
intestine)
-
Alcoholism
-
Burns
-
Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes)
-
Down's syndrome
-
Eating disorders
-
Intestine diseases
-
Infections (continuing or chronic)
-
Kidney disease
-
Liver disease
-
Pancreas disease
-
Sickle cell disease
-
Skin disorders
-
Stomach removal
-
Stress (continuing)
-
Thalassemia
-
Trauma (prolonged)
In addition, premature infants may need additional zinc.
Increased need for zinc should be determined by your health care professional.
Claims that zinc is effective in preventing vision loss in the elderly
have not been proven. Zinc has not been proven effective in the treatment
of porphyria.
Injectable zinc is given by or under the supervision of a health care professional.
Other forms of zinc are available without a prescription.
Zinc supplements are available in the following dosage forms:
Oral
-
Zinc Gluconate
-
Lozenges (U.S.)
-
Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
-
Zinc Sulfate
-
Capsules (U.S.)
-
Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
-
Extended-release tablets (U.S.)
Parenteral
-
Zinc Chloride
-
Zinc Sulfate
Importance of DietZinc is found in various foods, including lean red meats, seafood (especially
herring and oysters), peas, and beans. Zinc is also found in whole grains;
however, large amounts of whole-grains have been found to decrease the amount
of zinc that is absorbed. Additional zinc may be added to the diet through
treated (galvanized) cookware. Foods stored in uncoated tin cans may cause
less zinc to be available for absorption from food.
The daily amount of zinc needed is defined in several different ways.
For U.S. -
-
Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) are the amount of vitamins
and minerals needed to provide for adequate nutrition in most healthy persons.
RDAs for a given nutrient may vary depending on a person's age, sex, and physical
condition (e.g., pregnancy).
-
Daily Values (DVs) are used on food and dietary supplement labels
to indicate the percent of the recommended daily amount of each nutrient that
a serving provides. DV replaces the previous designation of United States
Recommended Daily Allowances (USRDAs).
For Canada -
-
Recommended Nutrient Intakes (RNIs) are used to determine the amounts
of vitamins, minerals, and protein needed to provide adequate nutrition and
lessen the risk of chronic disease.
Normal daily recommended intakes in milligrams (mg) for zinc are generally
defined as follows:
Persons |
U.S. (mg) |
Canada (mg) |
Infants and children Birth to 3 years of age |
5-10 |
2-4 |
4 to 6 years of age |
10 |
5 |
7 to 10 years of age |
10 |
7-9 |
Adolescent and adult males |
15 |
9-12 |
Adolescent and adult females |
12 |
9 |
Pregnant females |
15 |
15 |
Breast-feeding females |
16-19 |
15 |
Brand NamesSome commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S. -
- Orazinc 3
- Verazinc 4
- Zinc-220 4
- Zinc 15 4
- Zinca-Pak 4
- Zincate 4
In Canada -
Note:
|
For quick reference, the following zinc supplements are
numbered to match the corresponding brand names.
|
This information applies to the following: |
1. |
Zinc Chloride (zink KLOR-ide)†‡ |
2. |
Zinc Gluconate (zink GLOO-coh-nate)‡§ |
3. |
Zinc Gluconate and Zinc Sulfate (zinkGLOO-coh-nate) and (zink SUL-fate)‡§ |
4. |
Zinc Sulfate (zink SUL-fate)†‡ |
† Not commercially available in Canada |
‡ Generic name product may be available
in the U.S. |
§ Generic name product may be available
in Canada |
|