TOLERANCE OF HIGH-DOSE ORAL ZINC-SULFATE

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 111  (42) , 1573-1577
Abstract
The toxicity of oral Zn was investigated in patients hospitalized for chronic leg ulcers. Untoward effects were monitored by reference to clinical tolerance, hematological, hepatic and renal parameters and serum concentrations of Cu and Fe. The investigation was conducted by comparing 2 groups of patients who initially did not differ significantly with regard to ulcer area, Hb, leukocytes, Cu, Fe and Zn. Both groups had serum Zn concentrations in the lower normal range. One group was treated with 3 daily doses of 220 mg oral zinc sulfate and the other with placebo. Oral Zn appears to be well tolerated clinically and does not cause hematological, renal or hepatic toxicity. In view of the increasing interest in and range of indications for Zn, particularly in conditions associated with cellular immunological hyporeactivity, this finding is a prerequisite for the institution of clinical Zn therapy.