ZINC SULFATE oral

Therapeutic action

• Micronutrient

Indications

• Adjunct to oral rehydration therapy in the event of acute and/or persistent diarrhoea in children under 5 years

Forms and strengths

• 20 mg scored and dispersible tablet, packed in a blister

Dosage and duration

• Child under 6 months: 10 mg (½ tablet) once daily for 10 days
• Child from 6 months to 5 years: 20 mg (1 tablet) once daily for 10 days

Place the half-tablet or full tablet in a teaspoon, add a bit of water to dissolve it, and give the entire spoonful to the child.

Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

• No contra-indication.
• If the child vomits within 30 minutes after swallowing the tablet, re-administer the dose.
• Do not give simultaneously with ferrous salts, administer at least 2 hours apart.

Remarks

• Zinc sulfate is given as an adjunct to oral rehydration therapy in order to reduce the duration and severity of diarrhoea, as well as to prevent further occurrences in the 2 to 3 months after treatment. Zinc sulfate must never replace oral rehydration therapy which is essential (nor can it replace antibiotic therapy that may, in specific cases, be necessary).

Storage

Tablets are packed in a blister. Leave tablets in blister until use. Once a tablet is removed from the blister, it must be dissolved and administered immediately.