Recommended Dosage for Zinc Syrup
The recommended dose for zinc syrup varies by age and condition, with children older than 12 months requiring 50 μg/kg/day up to a maximum of 5 mg/day for routine supplementation, while infants 3-12 months need 100 μg/kg/day. 1
General Dosing Guidelines
For Children:
- Infants 3-12 months: 100 μg/kg/day 1
- Children >12 months: 50 μg/kg/day (maximum 5 mg/day) for routine supplementation 1
- For 1-year-old children: 100 μg/kg/day as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics 1
- For zinc deficiency treatment: 0.5-1 mg/kg/day of elemental zinc for 3-4 months 1, 2
- For children with diarrhea: Lower doses of 5-10 mg have shown similar efficacy to 20 mg with fewer side effects 3
For Adults:
- Standard daily supplementation: 15 mg 2
- For malabsorptive conditions (e.g., after bariatric surgery): 30 mg daily 2
- For Wilson's disease: 150 mg elemental zinc daily (75 mg for children <50 kg) 4, 2
Administration Recommendations
- For optimal absorption, administer zinc syrup between meals rather than with food 1, 2
- Avoid giving zinc with foods high in phytates, which can reduce absorption 1
- Different zinc salts (sulfate, acetate, gluconate, citrate) have similar efficacy but potentially different tolerability profiles 4, 2
- Organic zinc compounds (histidinate, gluconate, orotate) show better tolerability than inorganic forms (sulfate, chloride) 1, 2
Monitoring and Safety
- For long-term supplementation, monitor serum zinc levels and alkaline phosphatase periodically 1
- When supplementing zinc, maintain appropriate zinc-to-copper ratios (8-15 mg zinc to 1 mg copper) to prevent copper deficiency 2, 5
- Common side effects include gastric irritation, which may depend on the salt used 4
- Higher doses of zinc (20 mg) are associated with increased risk of vomiting compared to lower doses (5-10 mg) 3
Special Considerations
- For children with increased gastrointestinal fluid losses, higher doses may be required 1
- For premature infants or children with specific medical conditions, consult with a pediatrician for appropriate dosing 1
- Zinc supplementation may reduce the incidence of acute lower respiratory infections in infants, though evidence is mixed 6
- Zinc supplementation may reduce the duration of common colds but with increased risk of non-serious adverse events 7
Clinical Efficacy
- Zinc is essential for metabolism of energy, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids 1
- Zinc deficiency in children can lead to stunted growth, increased risk of infections, and characteristic skin rash 1
- Zinc supplementation likely reduces the incidence of diarrhea and may slightly improve height in children 8
- Lower doses of zinc (5-10 mg) have shown noninferior efficacy for treating diarrhea compared to the standard 20 mg dose, with less vomiting 3