zinc sulfate monohydrate at a glance
Medicine class
Mineral replacement supplying elemental zinc
Licensed use
Treatment of zinc deficiency in adults and children
Form
Effervescent tablet dissolved in water before swallowing
Important long-term risk
Excessive or unnecessarily prolonged use can cause copper deficiency
What is zinc sulfate monohydrate used for?
The selected UK product is licensed for:
Treating zinc deficiency in adults and children.
How does zinc sulfate monohydrate work?
It replaces zinc needed by numerous enzymes and processes involved in cell function, growth, tissue repair, taste and smell. Zinc is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and distributed throughout the body.
zinc sulfate monohydrate preparations and strengths
Effervescent tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 45 mg
How to take zinc sulfate monohydrate
Use exactly as directed by the prescriber or product leaflet.
Dissolve the effervescent tablet in a glass of water, then swallow the solution.
Take it after food.
Do not swallow the desiccant capsule in the container cap.
zinc sulfate monohydrate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Abdominal pain, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach irritation or gastritis.
- Headache, irritability or lethargy.
Get urgent medical advice
- Prolonged or excessive exposure may cause copper deficiency. Seek prompt assessment for difficulty walking, poor coordination, numbness, pins and needles, unusual tiredness or recurrent infections.
- Corrosive mouth or stomach symptoms after an overdose require immediate medical help.
zinc sulfate monohydrate in pregnancy
Safety in human pregnancy has not been established, and zinc crosses the placenta. Use only when advised by a doctor who has assessed the need for treatment, and disclose other supplements being taken.
zinc sulfate monohydrate while breastfeeding
Zinc is present in breast milk. Use only on medical advice while breastfeeding, and tell the prescriber if the baby was premature or had neonatal jaundice.
zinc sulfate monohydrate interactions
Zinc can bind to other medicines or minerals in the gut and reduce absorption. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber how to manage interacting products.
Tetracycline antibiotics
Zinc and the antibiotic can each reduce the other's absorption.
Quinolone antibiotics
Zinc may reduce absorption of ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, norfloxacin and ofloxacin.
Oral iron
Iron and zinc may reduce each other's absorption.
Common questions about zinc sulfate monohydrate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is zinc sulfate monohydrate used for?
The selected UK product is licensed to treat zinc deficiency in adults and children.
How are the effervescent tablets taken?
Dissolve the tablet in a glass of water, swallow the solution as directed and take it after food.
Can children take it?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.