Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin: Medical Uses and Dosage
Sodium copper chlorophyllin is primarily used as a topical treatment for skin conditions, an oral supplement for nutritional deficiencies, and as a therapeutic agent for certain blood disorders, with dosages ranging from 40-150 mg daily for oral administration and 0.066-0.1% for topical formulations.
Composition and Forms
Sodium copper chlorophyllin is a semi-synthetic water-soluble derivative of chlorophyll, the green pigment found in plants. It contains copper in place of magnesium in the chlorophyll molecule, making it more stable and water-soluble.
Available forms include:
- Oral tablets/capsules
- Topical gels/creams
- Liposomal dispersions for topical application
Medical Uses and Dosages
1. Dermatological Applications
Acne and Large Pores
- Formulation: Topical gel containing 0.1% liposomal dispersion of sodium copper chlorophyllin
- Dosage: Apply small amount to affected areas twice daily
- Duration: Clinically significant improvement seen after 3 weeks of use 1
- Efficacy: Demonstrated statistically significant improvements in mild-moderate acne and reduction in pore size
Photodamaged Skin
- Formulation: Topical gel containing 0.066% chlorophyllin complex salts
- Dosage: Apply pea-sized amount to affected areas twice daily
- Duration: Significant improvement in fine lines, wrinkles, and solar lentigenes after 8 weeks 2
- Efficacy: Well-tolerated with high patient satisfaction
2. Hematological Applications
- Leukopenia Treatment
- Formulation: Oral tablets (marketed as "Yebaike" in some countries)
- Dosage: 40 mg three times daily
- Duration: One month treatment course
- Efficacy: 85% total effective rate, comparable to Leucogen (83.3%) and significantly better than placebo (26.7%) 3
- Safety: No adverse reactions reported during treatment course
3. Nutritional Supplementation
- Copper Supplementation
- Used as a source of copper in nutritional deficiency states
- Dosage: When used for copper supplementation, should maintain a zinc-to-copper ratio of 8-15:1 4
- Monitoring: Regular assessment of both copper and zinc levels is essential
4. Adjunctive Cancer Therapy
Breast Cancer Chemotherapy Adjunct
- Preclinical evidence suggests potential benefit when combined with cyclophosphamide
- Enhances anti-proliferative and cytotoxic effects of chemotherapy
- May disrupt DNA damage repair and induce apoptosis in cancer cells 5
- Note: Still in preclinical phase; not yet approved for clinical use
Cyclophosphamide-Induced Bladder Toxicity
- Dosage: 100 mg/kg in preclinical models
- Alleviates painful bladder syndrome symptoms by restoring IL-22 levels and reducing oxidative stress 5
- Note: Still in preclinical phase; not yet approved for clinical use
Pharmacokinetics
- Absorption: Cu(II)chlorin e4, the major component, is relatively stable during digestion
- Distribution: Achieves sustained therapeutic concentrations in target tissues
- Metabolism: Cu(II)chlorin e6 is largely degraded (>90%) during digestion
- Stability: Incorporation into food matrices (like applesauce) may increase stability 6
- Cellular uptake: Temperature-dependent absorption by intestinal cells suggests active transport mechanisms 6
Safety Profile
- Acute toxicity: Well-tolerated up to 5000 mg/kg body weight in preclinical studies
- Sub-acute toxicity: No-Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) beyond 1000 mg/kg body weight
- Clinical safety: No significant adverse reactions reported in human studies 5
Important Considerations
- For patients with Wilson's disease, monitor copper levels carefully as additional copper supplementation may be contraindicated 7, 4
- When using for copper supplementation, consider the patient's zinc status as these minerals compete for absorption
- For topical applications, perform patch testing before widespread use to ensure no skin sensitivity
- Pregnant women should consult healthcare providers before use
Monitoring Recommendations
- For oral supplementation: Monitor serum copper and zinc levels, complete blood count
- For topical application: Monitor for skin irritation or allergic reactions
- For leukopenia treatment: Regular complete blood count to assess response
The safety profile and multiple therapeutic applications make sodium copper chlorophyllin a versatile compound in medical treatment, though more clinical studies are needed to fully establish its efficacy across all potential indications.