chromium (chromium 3, chromium picolinate, glucose tolerance factor, trivalent chromium): Dosing and Uses

Dosing and uses of Chromium 3, chromium picolinate (chromium)

• Adult
• Pediatric

Adequate Intake

Males (14-50 years old): 35 mcg/day; (> 50 years old): 30 mcg/day;

Females (19-50 years old): 25 mcg/day; (>50 years old): 20 mcg/day;

Pregnant 30 mcg/day;

Lactation 45 mcg/day

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2

200-1000 mcg/day PO in divided doses

Beta Blocker-Related Low HDL Cholesterol

200 mcg PO TId

Hyperglycemia, Corticosteroid-Induced

200 mcg PO TID, Or

400 mcg PO qDay

Hypoglycemia, Prevention

200 mcg PO qDay

Dysthymic Disorder

200 mcg PO qDay-BId

Other Indications & Uses

Weight loss, type 2 diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, athletic performance enhancement, dysthymic disorder, hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia (reactive), low HDL cholesterol (beta blocker-related), muscle mass builder

Efficacy

• Possibly effective in lowering blood lipids, maintaining glycemic control
• Likely ineffective for weight loss

Pediatric dosage forms and strengths

Adequate Intake

0-6 months old: 0.2 mcg/day

7-12 months old: 5.5 mcg/day

1-3 years old: 11 mcg/day

4-8 years old: 15 mcg/day

9-13 years old: 21 mcg/day (female), 25 mcg/day (male)

14-18 years old (female): 21 mcg/day

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (Orphan)

Orphan designation for chromium picolinate and chromium histidinate for treatment of pediatic polycystic ovary syndrome (aged ≤16 yr)

Sponsor

• JDS Therapeutics, LLC; 3 Manhattanville Rd, Suite 201; Purchase, NY 10577

Chromium 3, chromium picolinate (chromium) adverse (side) effects

Frequency not defined

Common

• Cognitive dysfunction, headache, insomnia, irritability, mood changes, motor dysfunction, perceptual dysfunction, sleep disturbances
• Weight gain (high dose)
• Anemia, hemolysis, thrombocytopenia

Rare

• Renal/liver impairment (high dose)

Warnings

Contraindications

Chromate allergy, leather contact allergy, impaired renal fxn, breastfeeding (high dose)

Cautions

Psychiatric or behavioral disorders (high dose)

Pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy category: C

Lactation: excretion in milk unknown; use with caution

Pregnancy categories

A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.

B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.

C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.

D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.

X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.

NA: Information not available.

Pharmacology of Chromium 3, chromium picolinate (chromium)

Metabolism: N/A

Excretion: renal, biliary

Mechanism of action

Enhances insulin receptor sensitivity in peripheral cells (component of glucose tolerance factor)