Name Zinc
Classes Electrolyte and Mineral
Nutritional Supplement
Diseases Acne
Cold Sore
Degenerative Retinal Lesion
Eczema
Electrolytic Imbalance
Healing
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Muscular Degeneration
Psoriasis
Zinc Deficiency

Zinc

Zinc is an essential micronutrient for human metabolism. It also has healing properties for various skin conditions.

Zinc is available as zinc sulphate and acetate for electrolyte supplement for consumption & as zinc oxide as topical formulation.

Zinc is used for-

  • Skin conditions like- diaper rash, eczema, acne
  • Electrolyte supplement
  • Zinc deficiency
  • Boost immunity
  • Liver problems (Wilson disease)

Zinc oxide:

  • Diaper rash: Each time diaper is changed/ as required.
  • Other skin conditions: Applied 2-3 times daily. The cream should be uniformly applied on the affected area.

Zinc sulphate monohydrate:

  • Adult dosages:
    • Males older than 14 years: 11 mg/day
    • Females older than 19 years: 8 mg/day
    • Pregnancy: (14-18 years old) 12 mg/day
    • Pregnancy: (older than 19 years old): 11 mg/day
    • Breastfeeding: (14-18 years old) 13 mg/day
    • Breastfeeding: (older than 19 years) 12 mg/day
    • Upper Intake Level (UL): (14-18 years old) 34 mg/day
    • UL: (older than 19 years): 40 mg/day
  • Pediatric dosages:
    • Infants 0-6 months: 2 mg/day
    • Infants 6-12 months: 3 mg/day
    • Children 1-3 years: 3 mg/day
    • Children 3-8 years: 5 mg/day
    • Children 8-13 years: 8 mg/day
    • Children 13-18 years: 11 mg/day
  • Zinc acetate:
      • Adults: The usual dose is 50 mg 3 times daily with a maximum dose of 50 mg 5 times daily.
      • Children and adolescents: Data are very limited in children under 6 years but since the disease is fully penetrant, prophylactic treatment should be considered as early as possible. The recommended dose is as follows:
        • from 1 to 6 years: 25 mg twice daily
        • from 6 to 16 years if bodyweight under 57 kg: 25 mg three times daily
        • from 16 years or if bodyweight above 57 kg: 50 mg three times daily.
        • from 1 to 6 years: 25 mg twice daily
        • from 6 to 16 years if bodyweight under 57 kg: 25 mg three times daily
        • from 16 years or if bodyweight above 57 kg: 50 mg three times daily.

Side effects of zinc formulations include-

  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Dyspepsia

The patient is advised to carefully read the package inserts of the respective zinc formulations.

Contraindication

Zinc formulations are contraindicated in patients hypersensitive to zinc or any component of the respective formulation.

There's no known contraindications in terms of food and drinks.

There is no known contraindication of the aforementioned zinc formulations in terms of health.