Zincovit (Zinc Sulphate / Zinc Acetate / Zinc Gluconate)
Also sold as: Zincovit, Z&D, Zinconia, Zinc-OD, ZincoRich, Unizinc
Pregnancy
Cat A
Lactation
Safe
Schedule
OTC
Forms
Tablet 20mg, 40mg elemental zinc +3
Indications
- Zinc deficiency (dietary, malabsorption)
- Acute diarrhea in children (WHO/UNICEF protocol)
- Adjunct in malnourished children
- Wilson's disease (maintenance after chelation)
- Acrodermatitis enteropathica
- Common cold symptom reduction (within 24 hours of onset)
- COVID-19 adjunct (limited evidence)
Adult Dosing
Zinc deficiency
25-50 mg elemental zinc PO once daily
6-12 weeks
Wilson's disease (maintenance)
50 mg elemental zinc TDS (150 mg/day)
Take 1 hour before meals
Common cold (within 24h onset)
Zinc acetate 13.3 mg lozenge every 2-3 hours while awake
Until symptoms resolve
Pediatric Dosing
Zinc reduces diarrhea duration and severity by ~24% (WHO data). Mandatory supplementation with ORS in children per IAP guidelines.
Renal Dose Adjustment
| CrCl / eGFR | Dose Adjustment |
|---|---|
| Any | Reduce dose in severe CKD — zinc accumulates; monitor serum zinc |
Hepatic Adjustment
No specific adjustment; zinc used therapeutically in Wilson's disease (liver condition)
Pregnancy & Lactation
Pregnancy: Category A
Essential micronutrient during pregnancy; daily requirement increases to 11-12 mg/day. Safe at recommended doses.
Lactation: Safe
Daily requirement during lactation is 12 mg/day; supplementation safe and often recommended.
Top Drug Interactions
| Interacting Drug | Effect | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Iron supplements | Compete for absorption — separate by 2 hours | Moderate |
| Fluoroquinolones / Tetracyclines | Zinc chelates antibiotics — reduce absorption; separate by 2 hours | Major |
| Calcium supplements | High calcium may reduce zinc absorption | Minor |
| Copper (dietary) | High zinc reduces copper absorption — risk of copper deficiency with prolonged high-dose zinc | Moderate |
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Side Effects
Common
- Nausea (especially on empty stomach)
- Vomiting
- Abdominal cramps
- Metallic taste
- Diarrhea (high doses)
Serious / Discontinue If
- Copper deficiency (with prolonged high-dose zinc > 40 mg/day — causes sideroblastic anemia, neutropenia, neuropathy)
- Zinc toxicity (> 225 mg acute ingestion — fever, nausea, vomiting)
Contraindications
- None at therapeutic doses
- High-dose zinc in copper deficiency
Available Indian Brands
| Brand | Manufacturer | Price (approx) |
|---|---|---|
| Zincovit Tablet | Apex Labs | 15 tab ₹85 |
| Z&D Syrup | Pfizer | 60mL ₹65 |
| Zinc-OD 20mg | Micro Labs | 15 tab ₹42 |
| Zinconia 20mg | Alkem | 15 tab ₹38 |
Monitoring Required
- Serum zinc (for deficiency and Wilson's disease)
- Serum copper (with prolonged high-dose — copper deficiency)
- CBC (for copper-deficiency related cytopenia)
Patient Counseling Points
- Take with food or after food to reduce nausea
- Separate from antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, tetracycline) by 2 hours
- Separate from iron tablets by 2 hours
- For diarrhea in children: give zinc for full 14 days even after diarrhea stops
- Do not take more than prescribed — excess zinc causes copper deficiency
Stop Googling drug references mid-consultation
EasyClinic auto-flags Zincovit interactions, renal cutoffs, and pregnancy warnings the moment you write the prescription. Built-in safety net for every Indian doctor.
Clinically reviewed by: Dr. Rajesh Nair, DM (Gastroenterology), Senior Consultant
Last reviewed: 2026-04-01
References
- WHO/UNICEF Zinc Supplementation Guidelines for Diarrhea
- BNF — Zinc
- IAP Zinc in Diarrhea Guidelines
- AASLD Wilson's Disease Guidelines