Micromedex Detailed Drug Information for the Consumer [Internet]. Truven Health Analytics; 1974-2016.

Zinc Supplement (Oral route, Parenteral route)

Brand Name(s)

In the US: Galzin, M2 Zinc 50, Orazinc 110, Orazinc 220, Zinc-220, Zinc Chelated, Zn Plus Protein

In Canada: Prostavan

Dosage forms

Tablet Capsule Tablet, Extended Release

Uses of This Medicine

Zinc 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.

Acrodermatitis enteropathica (a lack of absorption of zinc from the intestine) Alcoholism Burns Type 2 diabetes mellitus 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.

Once a medicine or dietary supplement has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although this use is not included in product labeling, zinc supplements are used in certain patients with the following medical condition:

Wilson’s disease (a disease of too much copper in the body)

Importance of Diet

For good health, it is important that you eat a balanced and varied diet. Follow carefully any diet program your health care professional may recommend. For your specific dietary vitamin and/or mineral needs, ask your health care professional for a list of appropriate foods. If you think that you are not getting enough vitamins and/or minerals in your diet, you may choose to take a dietary supplement.

Zinc 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 Children 4 to 6 years of age 10 5 Children 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

Before Using This Medicine

If you are taking a dietary supplement without a prescription, carefully read and follow any precautions on the label. For these supplements, the following should be considered: