Zinc Sulfate, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: nutritional supplement

Generic and brand names: zinc sulfate, oral; Orazinc; Verazinc; Zinc 15; Zinc-220; Zincate

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to provide your body with zinc when you are not getting enough in your diet or when you need extra zinc. If you have a wound that is slow to heal because you do not have enough zinc in your body, zinc sulfate may be used to help the healing. Zinc gluconate may shorten the length of a cold or stop it early. It may be used to treat other conditions. Discuss this with your healthcare provider. You can buy these products without a prescription.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Tell your healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine.

Females of childbearing age: Since zinc deficiency is rare, you do not need to take extra zinc during pregnancy unless your healthcare provider tells you to. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

How do I take it?

Follow the directions on the package. Do not take more than the amount listed in the directions.

You may take this medicine with or without food. Taking it with meals may lessen the chance the drug will upset your stomach. However, do not take zinc with grain breads, cereal, bran, milk, yogurt, cheese, or ice cream. These foods may keep your body from absorbing zinc properly.

What should I watch out for?

Large dosages of zinc may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, metallic taste in your mouth and other problems. Talk with your healthcare provider or pharmacist about the amount of zinc that you need.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Common: nausea and vomiting.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• calcium supplements (take at least 2 hours before or after you take zinc supplements)
• antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), norfloxacin (Noroxin), ofloxacin (Floxin), levofloxacin (Levaquin), tetracycline (Sumycin), demeclocycline (Declomycin), and minocycline (Dynacin, Myrac, Solodyn, Minocin)
• iron supplements (take at least 2 hours before or after you take zinc supplements).

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.