Does 15mg zinc orotate and 2mg copper biscyclinate interfere with other medications or supplements?

Zinc and Copper Supplementation: Drug and Supplement Interactions

The combination of 15 mg zinc orotate and 2 mg copper bisglycinate at these doses maintains the recommended 8:1 to 15:1 zinc-to-copper ratio and is unlikely to cause significant interference with most medications or supplements, though specific interactions warrant monitoring. 1

Key Interaction Considerations

Zinc-Copper Balance

• Your 15 mg zinc to 2 mg copper ratio (7.5:1) falls just below but close to the recommended 8:1 to 15:1 ratio, which is designed to prevent zinc-induced copper deficiency 1
• This ratio should be maintained because zinc and copper have an inverse relationship for absorption—excess zinc can induce copper deficiency even at doses of 100-300 mg/day 2
• At your dose of 15 mg zinc daily, the risk of copper interference is minimal when paired with 2 mg copper 1

Mineral Absorption Interactions

• Zinc absorption is significantly reduced by phytate (found in cereals, corn, rice), which is the most common inhibitor of zinc bioavailability 3
• Iron supplements can negatively affect zinc absorption when taken together as isolated supplements, though this effect is not observed when both are present in food or as fortificants 3
• Taking zinc with food interferes with its absorption, but this may be necessary for tolerability 4
• Calcium supplements do not appear to significantly interfere with zinc at these doses based on the available evidence

Medication Interactions

• Zinc can reduce absorption of certain antibiotics, particularly tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones—these should be taken 2-4 hours apart from zinc supplements
• Copper absorption may be affected by calcium supplements if taken simultaneously, though the evidence is limited at physiologic doses
• No significant interactions are documented between these trace minerals and most common medications at the doses you're taking

Monitoring Recommendations

When to Check Levels

• If taking additional zinc supplements beyond a multivitamin, monitor both zinc and copper levels to ensure the ratio remains appropriate 1
• For mild deficiencies of either mineral, recheck levels after 3 months of supplementation 1
• Close monitoring is required if higher doses are needed, as each mineral affects absorption of the other 1

Signs of Imbalance

• Zinc excess (even at 100-300 mg/day, well above your dose) can cause copper deficiency with symptoms including anemia, neutropenia, and impaired immune function 2
• At your dose of 15 mg zinc daily, these risks are minimal when balanced with 2 mg copper 1, 4
• The tolerable upper limit for zinc is 25 mg/day (EFSA) to 40 mg/day (FDA), so your 15 mg dose provides a comfortable safety margin 5

Practical Recommendations

Timing Strategies

• Take zinc and copper supplements with food if gastrointestinal tolerance is an issue, accepting the modest reduction in absorption 4
• Separate from iron supplements by at least 2 hours if taking additional iron 3
• Separate from tetracycline or fluoroquinolone antibiotics by 2-4 hours if prescribed

Special Considerations

• Zinc orotate is an organic compound with better tolerability than inorganic forms like zinc sulfate 4
• The combination you're taking (15 mg zinc with 2 mg copper) matches standard multivitamin formulations like Forceval used in clinical practice 1
• This dose is appropriate for general supplementation and does not require the intensive monitoring needed for therapeutic doses (75-150 mg/day) 4