Drug reference

Zinc acetate

BNF 80 (2020–2021)

Source: BNF 80 (2020–2021)
PDF pages: 1153, 1154

Review source pages for extracted sections and age labels. BNF dose snippets show only their first line.

Overview

Drug Action

Zinc prevents the absorption of copper in Wilson’s disease.

PDF page 1153

Indications And Dose

Wilson’s disease (initiated under specialist supervision) ▶BY MOUTH ▶Adult: 50 mg 3 times a day (max. per dose 50 mg 5 times a day), adjusted according to response DOSE EQUIVALENCE AND CONVERSION ▶Doses expressed as elemental zinc.

PDF page 1153

Pharmacokinetics

▶Symptomatic Wilson’s disease patients should be treated initially with a chelating agent because zinc has a slow onset of action. When transferring from chelating treatment to zinc maintenance therapy, chelating treatment should be co-administered for 2–3 weeks until zinc produces its maximal effect.

PDF page 1153

Cautions

Portal hypertension (risk of hepatic decompensation when switching from chelating agent)

PDF page 1153

Safety

Interactions

→Appendix 1: zinc

PDF page 1154

Side Effects

▶Common or very common Epigastric discomfort (usually transient) ▶Uncommon Leucopenia. sideroblastic anaemia ▶Frequency not known Condition aggravated SIDE-EFFECTS, FURTHER INFORMATION Transient gastric irritation may be reduced if ﬁrst dose is taken mid- morning or with a little protein.

PDF page 1154

Pregnancy

Dose adjustments Reduce dose to 25 mg 3 times daily adjusted according to plasma-copper concentration and urinary copper excretion. Blood and nutrition

PDF page 1154

Breast Feeding

Manufacturer advises avoid; present in milk—may cause zinc-induced copper deﬁciency in infant.

PDF page 1154

Monitoring Requirements

Monitor full blood count and serum cholesterol.

PDF page 1154

Dose and formulations

Medicinal Forms

There can be variation in the licensing of different medicines containing the same drug. Capsule CAUTIONARY AND ADVISORY LABELS 23 ▶Wilzin (Recordati Rare Diseases UK Ltd) Zinc (as Zinc acetate) 25 mg Wilzin 25mg capsules | 250 capsule P £132.00 DT = £132.00 Zinc (as Zinc acetate) 50 mg Wilzin 50mg capsules | 250 capsule P £242.00 DT = £242.00 ANTIDOTES AND CHELATORS › COPPER CHELATORS

PDF page 1154

Dose text by age group

Adult

50 mg 3 times a day (max. per dose 50 mg

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 1153

Age labels are extracted for navigation. Check the complete source section and current local guidance before clinical use.

Drug reference

Zinc acetate

BNF 80 (2020–2021)

Source: BNF 80 (2020–2021)
PDF pages: 1153, 1154

Review source pages for extracted sections and age labels. BNF dose snippets show only their first line.

Overview

Drug Action

Zinc prevents the absorption of copper in Wilson’s disease.

PDF page 1153

Indications And Dose

PDF page 1153

Pharmacokinetics

PDF page 1153

Cautions

Portal hypertension (risk of hepatic decompensation when switching from chelating agent)

PDF page 1153

Safety

Interactions

→Appendix 1: zinc

PDF page 1154

Side Effects

PDF page 1154

Pregnancy

Dose adjustments Reduce dose to 25 mg 3 times daily adjusted according to plasma-copper concentration and urinary copper excretion. Blood and nutrition

PDF page 1154

Breast Feeding

Manufacturer advises avoid; present in milk—may cause zinc-induced copper deﬁciency in infant.

PDF page 1154

Monitoring Requirements

Monitor full blood count and serum cholesterol.

PDF page 1154

Dose and formulations

Medicinal Forms

PDF page 1154

Dose text by age group

Adult

50 mg 3 times a day (max. per dose 50 mg

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 1153

Age labels are extracted for navigation. Check the complete source section and current local guidance before clinical use.