Zinc gluconate
Regulatory sources consulted
Approved indications
- Reduction in the duration of the common cold and the severity of its symptoms: cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, postnasal drip or hoarseness.
Clinical warnings
- Do not use to treat influenza or allergies; the product is intended only to reduce the duration of the common cold and its symptoms. — https://api.fda.gov/drug/label.json?search=id:%2251432b82-41b7-141b-e063-6394a90a444f%22&limit=1
- Do not take on an empty stomach to avoid minor stomach upset. Stop use and seek advice if symptoms last longer than 7 days. — https://api.fda.gov/drug/label.json?search=id:%2251432b82-41b7-141b-e063-6394a90a444f%22&limit=1
Drug interactions
- ModerateMinocycline, doxycycline and tetracyclineJ01AA
Mechanism: Zinc may inhibit absorption of these tetracyclines.
Recommendation: Ask a doctor or pharmacist before use.
https://api.fda.gov/drug/label.json?search=id:%2251432b82-41b7-141b-e063-6394a90a444f%22&limit=1
- ModerateWarfarinB01AA03
Mechanism: The label warns that zinc treatment may inhibit absorption of concomitant therapy.
Recommendation: Ask a doctor or pharmacist before use during warfarin therapy.
https://api.fda.gov/drug/label.json?search=id:%2251432b82-41b7-141b-e063-6394a90a444f%22&limit=1
Adverse events
Common (≥1%)
Minor stomach upset
Pregnancy and lactation
FDA category: Consultar antes de usar
During pregnancy or breastfeeding, ask a healthcare professional before use.
Recent literature (PubMed)
This review provides a concise overview of the cellular and clinical aspects of the role of zinc, an essential micronutrient, in human physiology and discusses zinc-related pathological states. Zinc cannot be stored in significant amounts, so regular dietary intake is essential. ZIP4 and/or ZnT5B transport dietary zinc ions from the duodenum into the enterocyte, ZnT1 transports zinc ions from the enterocyte into the circulation, and ZnT5B (bidirectional zinc transporter) facilitates endogenous zinc secretion into the intestinal lumen. Putative promoters of zinc absorption that increase its bioavailability include amino acids released from protein digestion and citrate, whereas dietary phytates, casein and calcium can reduce zinc bioavailability. In circulation, 70% of zinc is bound to albumin, and the majority in the body is found in skeletal muscle and bone. Zinc excretion is via faeces (predominantly), urine, sweat, menstrual flow and semen. Excessive zinc intake can inhibit the absorption of copper and iron, leading to copper deficiency and anaemia, respectively. Zinc toxicity can adversely affect the lipid profile and immune system, and its treatment depends on the mode of zinc acquisition. Acquired zinc deficiency usually presents later in life alongside risk factors like malabsorption syndromes, but medications like diuretics and angiotensin-receptor blockers can also cause zinc deficiency. Inherited zinc deficiency condition acrodermatitis enteropathica, which occurs due to mutation in the SLC39A4 gene (encoding ZIP4), presents from birth. Treatment involves zinc supplementation via zinc gluconate, zinc sulphate or zinc chloride. Notably, oral zinc supplementation may decrease the absorption of drugs like ciprofloxacin, doxycycline and risedronate.
The common cold is an acute, self-limiting viral respiratory illness. Symptoms include nasal congestion and mucus discharge, sneezing, sore throat, cough, and general malaise. Given the frequency of colds, they are a public health burden and a significant cause of lost work productivity and school absenteeism. There are no established interventions to prevent colds or shorten their duration. However, zinc supplements are commonly recommended and taken for this purpose. To assess the effectiveness and safety of zinc for the prevention and treatment of the common cold. We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and LILACS to 22 May 2023, and searched Web of Science Core Collection and two trials registries to 14 June 2023. We also used reference checking, citation searching, and contact with study authors to identify additional studies. We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in children or adults that tested any form of zinc against placebo to prevent or treat the common cold or upper respiratory infection (URTI). We excluded zinc interventions in which zinc was combined with other minerals, vitamins, or herbs (e.g. a multivitamin, or mineral supplement containing zinc). We used the Cochrane risk of bias tool to assess risks of bias, and GRADE to assess the certainty of the evidence. We independently extracted data. When necessary, we contacted study authors for additional information. We assessed zinc (type and route) with placebo in the prevention and treatment of the common cold. Primary outcomes included the proportion of participants developing colds (for analyses of prevention trials only), duration of cold (measured in days from start to resolution of the cold), adverse events potentially due to zinc supplements (e.g. unpleasant taste, loss of smell, vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhoea), and adverse events considered to be potential complications of the common cold (e.g. respiratory bacterial infections). We included 34 studies (15 prevention, 1
Zinc is an essential micronutrient that is needed for numerous critical health functions in the body. It is estimated that 17 to 20% of the global population is at risk for zinc deficiency, with certain groups at higher risk. The provision of supplemental zinc is a convenient and effective option for treating zinc deficiency and maintaining healthy levels of zinc. Several zinc salts are available for use in supplements. However, little information is available comparing the absorption and bioavailability of these different chemical forms of zinc. In this narrative review, we provide an overview of zinc absorption and bioavailability, discuss indicators of zinc status and risk factors for zinc deficiency, and review clinical studies comparing the absorption and bioavailability of different chemical forms of zinc in humans. This review of the clinical evidence suggests that zinc glycinate and zinc gluconate are better absorbed than other forms of zinc.
Hypothyroidism can occur due to deficiencies in micronutrients such as zinc, magnesium, and vitamin A. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of supplementation with these micronutrients on thyroid function, oxidative stress, and hs-CRP levels in patients with hypothyroidism. In a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with two parallel groups, 86 hypothyroid patients aged 20-65 were allocated to receive daily supplementation with either: (intervention group, n = 43) one 30 mg zinc gluconate capsule per day, one 250 mg magnesium oxide tablet per day, and one 25,000 IU vitamin A capsule twice/week for 10 weeks or (placebo group, n = 43) placebo capsules and tablets as above for 10 weeks. Neither of the groups changed their diet or physical activity. Thyroid hormones (free and total thyroxine (FT4 and TT4), free tri-iodothyronine (FT3), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)), oxidative markers (malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC)), serum hs-CRP, and anthropometric indices (height and weight) were assessed at the baseline and at the end of the study. In the intervention group, we found a significant increase in serum FT4, decreased anthropometric indices, and lower levels of serum hs-CRP by the end of the 10 week protocol (P < 0.05). In the placebo group, serum TAC was decreased and hs-CRP increased (P < 0.05), with no significant changes in serum TSH, FT3, TT4, and MDA after the intervention. Zinc, vitamin A, and magnesium supplementation may have beneficial effects in patients with hypothyroidism and in diseases associated with hyperthyroidism.