Zinc supplementaion

Zinc sulfate

Chemical model
Clinical data
Trade names	Solvazinc, Micro-Zn, others
AHFS/Drugs.com	Consumer Drug Information
Pregnancy category	US: A (No risk in human studies) and C
Routes of administration	by mouth, intravenous
Drug class	mineral supplement
ATC code	A12CB01 (WHO)
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	ZnSO4
Molar mass	161.47
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

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

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

The medical use of zinc sulfate began as early as the 1600s. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most effective and safe medicines needed in a health system. Zinc sulfate is available as a generic medication and over the counter. The wholesale cost in the developing world is about 0.01 to 18 USD per day. In the United Kingdom ten days of treatment costs the NHS about 4.32 pounds.

The use of zinc sulfate supplements together with oral rehydration therapy decreases the number of bowel movements and the time until the children returns to normal in diarrhea. It general use in this situation is thus recommended by the World Health Organization.