Formulary
Zinc acetate: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Zinc prevents the absorption of copper in Wilson's disease.
MedNext Academy | 3 min read
Zinc acetate: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Zinc prevents the absorption of copper in Wilson's disease.
Drug action
Zinc prevents the absorption of copper in Wilson's disease.
Indications and dose
**Wilson's disease (initiated under specialist supervision)**
- **Adult** (By Mouth): 50 mg 3 times a day (max. per dose 50 mg 5 times a day), adjusted according to response.
**Wilson's disease (initiated under specialist supervision) for zinc acetate**
- **Child 1-5 years** (By mouth): 25 mg twice daily.
- **Child 6-15 years (body-weight up to 57 kg)** (By mouth): 25 mg 3 times a day.
- **Child 6-15 years (body-weight 57 kg and above)** (By mouth): 50 mg 3 times a day.
- **Child 16-17 years** (By mouth): 50 mg 3 times a day.
Cautions
Portal hypertension (risk of hepatic decompensation when switching from chelating agent)
Side effects
Common or very common Epigastric discomfort (usually transient) Uncommon Leucopenia; sideroblastic anaemia Frequency not known Condition aggravated Side-effects, further information Transient gastric irritation may be reduced if first dose is taken mid-morning or with a little protein.
Pregnancy
With oral use: Reduce dose to 25 mg 3 times daily adjusted according to plasma-copper concentration and urinary copper excretion.
Breast feeding
Manufacturer advises avoid; present in milk-may cause zinc-induced copper deficiency in infant.
Medicinal forms
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
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