Zinc Gluconate

Avoid taking this medication with foods that are high in calcium or phosphorus, which can make it harder for your body to absorb zinc gluconate. Foods high in calcium or phosphorus include milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, dried beans or peas, lentils, nuts, peanut butter, beer, cola soft drinks, and hot cocoa.

The following drugs can interact with or be made less effective by zinc gluconate. Tell your doctor if you are using any of these:

• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
• methyltestosterone (Android, Methitest, Oreton);
• penicillamine (Cuprimine, Depen);
• risedronate (Actonel);
• a tetracycline antibiotic such as demeclocycline (Declomycin), doxycycline (Adoxa, Doryx, Oracea, Vibramycin), minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin, Solodyn, Vectrin), or tetracycline (Brodspec, Panmycin, Sumycin, Tetracap); or
• an antibiotic such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), ofloxacin (Floxin), norfloxacin (Noroxin), levofloxacin (Levaquin), and others.

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with zinc gluconate. Tell your healthcare provider about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Take zinc gluconate exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The Zinc Gluconate dose your doctor recommends will be based on the following (use any or all that apply):

• the condition being treated
• other medical conditions you have
• other medications you are taking
• how you respond to this medication
• your weight
• your height
• your age
• your gender

Zinc Gluconate is available in the following doses:

• Zinc Gluconate 10 Mg Oral Lozenge
• Zinc Gluconate 10 Mg Oral Tablet
• Zinc Gluconate 100 Mg Oral Tablet
• Zinc Gluconate 110 Mg Oral Tablet
• Zinc Gluconate 15 Mg Oral Tablet
• Zinc Gluconate 20 Mg Oral Tablet
• Zinc Gluconate 22 Mg Oral Tablet
• Zinc Gluconate 22.5 Mg Oral Tablet
• Zinc Gluconate 23 Mg Oral Lozenge
• Zinc Gluconate 25 Mg Oral Tablet
• Zinc Gluconate 30 Mg Oral Tablet
• Zinc Gluconate 50 Mg Oral Tablet
• Zinc Gluconate 50 Mg Oral Tablet, Dispersible
• Zinc Gluconate 60 Mg Oral Tablet
• Zinc Gluconate 77 Mg Oral Tablet
• Zinc Gluconate 78 Mg Oral Tablet
• Zinc Gluconate Compounding Powder

Zinc Gluconate is available in the following forms:

• Chewing Gum
• Extended Release Tablet
• Lozenge
• Oral Capsule
• Oral Spray
• Oral Tablet

Usual Adult Dose for Dietary Supplement:

Dosage: 105 mg to 350 mg daily.

• Zincum Gluconicum 2x

Adequate intake (AI): Oral (dose expressed as elemental zinc): Infants 1 to 6 months: 2 mg daily (IOM, 2001)

Recommended daily allowance (RDA): Oral (dose expressed as elemental zinc) (IOM, 2001):

Infants 7 to 12 months: 3 mg daily

Children 1 to 3 years: 3 mg daily

Children 4 to 8 years: 5 mg daily

Children and Adolescents 9 to 13 years: 8 mg daily

Adolescents 14 to 18 years:

Males: 11 mg daily

Females: 9 mg daily

Pregnancy: 12 mg daily

Lactation: 13 mg daily

Common cold: Note: For best results, begin therapy 24 to 48 hours prior to symptom onset: Children ≥12 years and Adolescents ≤17 years of age: Dissolve one 13.3 mg lozenge in mouth every 2 to 4 hours as needed. Maximum: 4 lozenges daily

Frequency not defined; may vary with different salts. Adverse reactions reported with excess dietary zinc (IOM, 2001).

Central nervous system: Headache

Endocrine & metabolic: Copper deficiency, decreased HDL cholesterol, decreased LDL cholesterol

Gastrointestinal: Abdominal cramps, decreased appetite, diarrhea, epigastric pain, gastrointestinal distress, nausea, vomiting

Hematologic & oncologic: Immunodeficiency

Disease related concerns:

• Malabsorption syndromes: Absorption of zinc may be decreased and urinary excretion increased in patients with Crohn’s disease, short bowel syndrome and sprue (IOM, 2001).

Other warnings/precautions:

• Self-medication (OTC use): When used for self medication (OTC) to treat the common cold, notify healthcare provider if symptoms continue for greater than 7 days. Increase fluid intake during therapy.

Zinc crosses the placenta and can be measured in the cord blood and placenta. Fetal concentrations are regulated by the placenta (de Moraes, 2011). The RDA is increased during pregnancy (IOM, 2001).