Zinc sulfate (medical use)

This article is about the use of zinc sulfate as a medication. For the chemical compound, see Zinc sulfate.
Zinc sulfate
Chemical model
Clinical data
Pronunciationzink SUL fate
Trade namesSolvazinc, Micro-Zn, others
AHFS/Drugs.comProfessional Drug Facts
License data
Routes of
administration		By mouth, intravenous
Drug classTrace element
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
Identifiers
  • Zinc sulfate
CAS Number
PubChem CID
DrugBank
ChemSpider
UNII
ChEBI
ChEMBL
Chemical and physical data
FormulaO4SZn
Molar mass161.44 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)
  • [O-]S(=O)(=O)[O-].[Zn+2]
  • InChI=1S/H2O4S.Zn/c1-5(2,3)4;/h(H2,1,2,3,4);/q;+2/p-2
  • Key:NWONKYPBYAMBJT-UHFFFAOYSA-L

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]

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][7] Zinc sulfate is available as a generic medication.[8] and over the counter.[1][3]

  1. ^ a b c d e British national formulary : BNF 69 (69 ed.). British Medical Association. 2015. p. 700. ISBN 9780857111562.
  2. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b "Zinc sulfate Use During Pregnancy". Drugs.com. 9 December 2019. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  4. ^ National Research Council; Division on Earth and Life Studies; Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources; Committee on Minerals and Toxic Substances in Diets and Water for Animals (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 W (2005). "Chemical Medicines". 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.
  7. ^ World Health Organization (2021). World Health Organization model list of essential medicines: 22nd list (2021). Geneva: World Health Organization. hdl:10665/345533. WHO/MHP/HPS/EML/2021.02.
  8. ^ "Competitive Generic Therapy Approvals". U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved 17 May 2022.