Dosing and uses of Galzin (zinc)
Adult dosage forms and strengths
capsule (zinc gluconate)
- 50mg
capsule (zinc acatate)
- 25mg
- 50mg
tablet (zinc gluconate)
- 15mg
- 30mg
- 50mg
- 100mg
tablet extended release (zinc gluconate)
- 100mg
lozenge (zinc gluconate)
- 10mg
- 13.3mg
gum
- 13.3mg
IV solution (zinc sulfate)
- 1mg/mL
- 5mg/mL
IV solution (zinc chloride)
- 1mg/mL
RDa
RDA expressed as elemental zinc
Males (>14 years): 11 mg/day
Females (>19 years): 8 mg/day
Pregnancy: (14-18 years old): 12 mg/day; (>19 years): 11 mg/day
Lactation: (14-18 years): 13 mg/day; (>19 years): 12 mg/day
UL: (14-18 years): 34 mg/day; (>19 years old): 40 mg/day
Common Cold
Dose expressed as elemental zinc
4.5-23.7 mg zinc gluconate lozenge PO q2hr
Wilson's Disease
Dose expressed as elemental zinc
Zinc acetate (Galzin): 50 mg PO three times daily
During pregnancy: 25 mg PO three times daily; may increase to 50 mg three times daily if inadequate response
TPN
Acute catabolic state: 4.5-6 mg/day added to TPN IV if metabolically stable
Metabolically stable: 2.5-4 mg/day; additional 12.2 mg per liter of small bowel fluid lost, or 17.1 mg per kilogram of stool or ileostomy recommended
Administration
Take Galzin capsules on empty stomach; swallow whole
Pediatric dosage forms and strengths
capsule (zinc gluconate)
- 50mg
capsule (zinc acetate)
- 25mg
- 50mg
tablet (zinc gluconate)
- 15mg
- 30mg
- 50mg
- 100mg
tablet extended release (zinc gluconate)
- 100mg
lozenge (zinc gluconate)
- 10mg
- 13.3mg
gum
- 13.3mg
IV solution (zinc sulfate)
- 1mg/mL
- 5mg/mL
IV solution (zinc chloride)
- 1mg/mL
RDa
RDA expressed as elemental zinc
0-6 months: 2 mg/day
6-12 months: 3 mg/day
1-3 years: 3 mg/day
3-8 years: 5 mg/day
8-13 years: 8 mg/day
13-18 years: 11 mg/day
TPN
<5 years: 100 mcg/kg/day added to TPN IV
Premature infants (<1500 g birth weight-3 kg): 300 mcg/kg/day added to TPN IV
Wilson's Disease
Zinc acetate
Manufacturer's dosing
- >10 years: 25 mg PO three times daily, may increase to 50 mg three times daily if inadequate response
AASLD dosing
- American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases
- >5 years and <50 kg: 25 mg PO three times daily
- >50 kg and adolescents: 50 mg PO three times daily
Galzin (zinc) adverse (side) effects
Frequency not defined
Nausea/vomiting
Gastric irritation
Elevations of serum alkaline phosphatase, amylase, and lipase that may return to high normal within 1-2 years of therapy
Neurologic deterioration
Warnings
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity
Direct IV or IM solution
Cautions
Not for direct injection into peripheral vein (may cause infusion phlebitis)
Injection contains aluminum, which may cause toxicity in prolonged parenteral administration if renal function impaired
Do not use zinc intranasally (as in Zicam)-risk of permanent loss of smelL
Lozenges sweetened with citric acid, mannitol, or sorbitol have decreased efficacy; should only be sweetened with glycine
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy category: A (Galzin); C (injction or gluconate)
Lactation: Present in breast milk, use 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.
Nutrition
Source: shellfish, fish, red meat; plant sources (whole grains, legumes, nuts) less bioavailable d/t phytic acid binding
Pharmacology of Galzin (zinc)
Mechanism of action
Cofactor in over 100 enzymes; plays a role in DNA synthesis; supports a healthy immune system; helps maintain a sense of smell and taste; may assist in porper function of insulin
Pharmacokinetics
Half-life: 11 days following cessation of therapy (inhibition of copper uptake)
Absorption: pH dependent (enhanced at pH<3); impaired by food
Excretion: Feces (primarily)
Administration
IV Info
Do NOT give undiluted as a bolus injection- acidic, may cause phlebitis & tissue damage
Dilute in at least 100 mL
