Dosing and uses of Copper
Adult dosage forms and strengths
capsule
- 5mg
tablet
- 5mg
solution (iv)
- 0.4mg/mL (10mL)
Dietary Supplement
2-5 mg PO qDay or more; not to exceed 8 mg/day
Alternatively (parenteral nutrition): 0.3-0.5 mg/day IV or 0.5-1.5 mg/day IV (per manufacturer)
High Output Fistula
- May use twice the recommended daily allowance
RDA
- Males: 900 mcg/day
- Females: 900 mcg/day
- Pregnant: 1,000 mcg/day
- Nursing: 1,300 mcg/day
- UL (>19 years old): 10,000 mcg/day
Pediatric dosage forms and strengths
capsule
- 5mg
tablet
- 5mg
solution (iv)
- 0.4mg/mL (10mL)
Dietary Supplement
Parenteral nutrition: 20 mcg copper/kg/day IV
RDA
- 0-6 months old: 200 mcg/day
- 7-12 months old: 220 mcg/day
- 1-3 years old: 340 mcg/day
- 3-8 years old: 440 mcg/day
- 8-13 years old: 700 mcg/day
- 13-18 years old: (Male, Female) 890 mcg/day
Copper adverse (side) effects
Frequency not defined
Nausea/vomiting (10-60 mg dose)
Hepatic dysfunction including necrosis
Warnings
Contraindications
None listed by manufacturer
Cautions
Administration not recommended in Wilson disease
Use caution in patients with hepatic impairment
Injection contains aluminum; use caution in renal impairment and premature infants
Acidic pH of the solution may cause tissue irritation
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 Copper
Mechanism of action
Cofactor in many enzymes, including ceruloplasmin; involved in formation of iron carrier protein, transferrin
Helps maintain normal rates of red and white blood cell formation and helps prevent development of deficiency symptoms
Pharmacokinetics
Excretion: Intestinal wall, urine, and bile
Administration
Not for direct administration; must dilute; administer only after dilution in not less than 100 mL
No preservatives - use promptly & discard unused portion
