Zinc Sulfate: Brands, Price & Uses in Bangladesh

Zinc Sulfate is a mineral salt supplement used for the following indications:

Established / Guideline-Supported Uses

• Treatment and prevention of zinc deficiency — dietary or condition-related zinc deficiency, including malabsorption syndromes, chronic diarrhea, malnutrition, and certain gastrointestinal or liver diseases.
• Adjunct management of acute diarrhea in children — recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) alongside oral rehydration therapy (ORT) to reduce the duration and severity of the current diarrheal episode and lower the risk of recurrence over the following 2-3 months. Zinc Sulfate is not a substitute for oral rehydration therapy and is used only as an adjunct to it.

General / Supplemental Use

• General nutritional supplementation in individuals with inadequate dietary zinc intake or increased physiological requirements (e.g., pregnancy), as directed by a physician or per approved dietary supplement labeling.

Dosing of Zinc Sulfate is expressed in terms of elemental zinc and should be individualized by indication and age.

Zinc Sulfate is best given on an empty stomach (1 hour before or 2 hours after meals) for optimal absorption; if gastric upset occurs, it may be taken with a small amount of food, which may modestly reduce absorption. See Administration below and Interactions for guidance on spacing doses from other medicines.

Common side effects of Zinc Sulfate include:

• Nausea, vomiting, gastric irritation, and abdominal cramps (more common on an empty stomach or at higher doses)
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Metallic or unpleasant taste
• Headache

Less common, and generally associated with prolonged high-dose use: copper deficiency (which may cause sideroblastic anemia and neurological effects), reduced HDL cholesterol, and paradoxically impaired immune function with excessive intake. See Precautions and Warnings and Overdose Effects for further detail.