Related to this topic: Patient+ | Medicines | Equipment | Books | Your Experience | Other resources | Glossaries
Print options: 
Other options:
(what's this?)
PatientPlus articles are written for doctors and so the language can be technical. However, some people find that they add depth to the articles found in the other sections of this website which are written for non-medical people.
Zinc Supplements
See Also: Zinc Deficiency, and Zinc Excess and Zinc Toxicity.
Zinc DeficiencyZinc deficiency can occur as a result of inadequate diet or malabsorption; excessive loss of zinc can occur in trauma, burns and protein-losing conditions. |
- Zinc supplements (zinc sulphate) should be given only when there is good evidence of deficiency or in zinc-losing conditions.1
- Zinc sulphate is used to treat Wilsons disease.
Studies have also reported its use to enhance wound healing and slow macular degeneration. - Zinc has also been claimed to ameliorate a variety of conditions including the common cold. The effect of zinc treatments on the severity or duration of cold symptoms is controversial and unproven.2
- A zinc supplement is given until clinical improvement occurs but it may need to be continued in severe malabsorption, metabolic disease or in zinc-losing states.
- Total parenteral nutrition regimens usually include trace amounts of zinc. If necessary, further zinc can be added to intravenous feeding regimens.
- May accumulate in acute renal failure.
- A small study has suggested that zinc supplementation increases the levels of glycosylated haemoglobin in diabetics.
- Sufferers from haemochromatosis may absorb larger amounts of zinc.
- Zinc and copper are mutually antagonistic, each interfering with the gastrointestinal uptake of the other. Zinc and iron also compete for absorption.
- Excess zinc may also decrease magnesium and calcium uptake. High levels of calcium in the diet can decrease zinc absorption.
- Zinc salts reduce the bioavailability of fluoroquinoline antibiotics, e.g. ciprofloxacin.
- Absorption of zinc is reduced by penicillamine and zinc also reduces the absorption of penicillamine
- Absorption of zinc is reduced by tetracyclines and zinc also reduces the absorption of tetracyclines
- Zinc supplements have been reported to cause gastrointestinal effects, including abdominal pain, dyspepsia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, gastric irritation, gastritis. This is more likely when supplements are taken with little or no food.
- Irritability, headache, lethargy, dizziness
- Prolonged use of high doses of zinc can result in deficiency of copper.
- It has been suggested but not proven that excess zinc is atherogenic.2
Document References
- British National Formulary British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. London.
- Food Standards Agency; Zinc
DocID: 569
Document Version: 21
DocRef: bgp25341
Last Updated: 23 Aug 2007
Review Date: 22 Aug 2009
Disclaimer: Patient UK has no control of the content of the above links. Inclusion does not imply endorsement by Patient UK.
Related pages in Patient UK
Your Experience (^ top of page)
Please add your experience about this condition / medicineMedical reference articles in PatientPlus related to this topic (^ top of page)
Zinc Deficiency Zinc Excess and Zinc ToxicityMedicines related to this topic (^ top of page)
ZincOther - Useful resources (^ top of page)
Pictures, diagrams, photos, images, etc.Evidence based medicine
Online textbooks and journals
A-Z of UK Guidelines
A-Z of Online Videos
Medline
Other good health sites
Medical equipment products related to this topic (^ top of page)
Books related to this topic (^ top of page)
Want to search some more? Use the Google Search box below to search our site.
Would you like to try our advanced on-line knowledge support system designed to provide professionals with relevant up to date information about recognition and management of disease or take the Mentor Challenge?
Disclaimer: Patient UK has no control of the content of the above links. Inclusion does not imply endorsement by Patient UK.