Zinc sulfate (medical use)

Zinc sulfate is used medically as a dietary supplement.[1] Specifically it is used to treat zinc deficiency and to prevent the condition in those at high risk.[1] This includes use together with oral rehydration therapy for children who have diarrhea.[2] General use is not recommended.[1] It may be taken by mouth or by injection into a vein.[1]

Zinc sulfate

Chemical model
Clinical data
Pronunciation	zink SUL fate
Trade names	Solvazinc, Micro-Zn, others
AHFS/Drugs.com	Professional Drug Facts
License data	US DailyMed: Zinc_sulfate
Routes of administration	By mouth, intravenous
Drug class	Trace element
ATC code	A12CB01 (WHO) B05XA18 (WHO)
Legal status
Legal status	US: ℞-only / OTC
Identifiers
IUPAC name Zinc sulfate
CAS Number	7733-02-0
PubChem CID	24424
DrugBank	DB09322
ChemSpider	22833
UNII	0J6Z13X3WO
ChEBI	CHEBI:35176
ChEMBL	ChEMBL1200929
Chemical and physical data
Formula	O4SZn
Molar mass	161.47 g·mol^−1
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
SMILES [O-]S(=O)(=O)[O-].[Zn+2]
InChI InChI=1S/H2O4S.Zn/c1-5(2,3)4;/h(H2,1,2,3,4);/q;+2/p-2 Key:NWONKYPBYAMBJT-UHFFFAOYSA-L

Side effects may include abdominal pain, vomiting, headache, and feeling tired.[2] While normal doses are deemed safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding, the safety of larger doses is unclear.[3] Greater care should be taken in those with kidney problems.[2] Zinc is an essential mineral in people as well as other animals.[4]

The medical use of zinc sulfate began as early as the 1600s.[5] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[6] Zinc sulfate is available as a generic medication and over the counter.[1][3]

Medical uses

The use of zinc sulfate supplements together with oral rehydration therapy decreases the number of bowel movements and the time until the diarrhea stops.[2] Its use in this situation is recommended by the World Health Organization.[2]

Zinc sulfate is also an important part of parenteral nutrition.[1]

References

1. British national formulary : BNF 69 (69 ed.). British Medical Association. 2015. p. 700. ISBN 9780857111562.
2. World Health Organization (2009). Stuart MC, Kouimtzi M, Hill SR (eds.). WHO Model Formulary 2008. World Health Organization. pp. 349–51. hdl:10665/44053. ISBN 9789241547659.
3. "Zinc sulfate Use During Pregnancy". Drugs.com. 9 December 2019. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
4. Council, National Research; Studies, Division on Earth and Life; Resources, Board on Agriculture and Natural; Animals, Committee on Minerals and Toxic Substances in Diets and Water for (2006). Mineral Tolerance of Animals: Second Revised Edition, 2005. National Academies Press. p. 420. ISBN 9780309096546. Archived from the original on 2017-01-16.
5. Sneader, Walter (2005). Drug Discovery: A History. John Wiley & Sons. p. 62. ISBN 9780471899792. Archived from the original on 2017-01-16.
6. World Health Organization (2019). World Health Organization model list of essential medicines: 21st list 2019. Geneva: World Health Organization. hdl:10665/325771. WHO/MVP/EMP/IAU/2019.06. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.

External links

• "Zinc Sulfate". Drug Information Portal. U.S. National Library of Medicine.