Oral Zinc Therapy in a Patient with Wilson's Disease

 

Mechanism: induction of metallothionein production, which binds copper within enterocytes and hepatocytes

 

Patients who may benefit from oral zinc therapy:

(1) an asymptomatic or presymptomatic patient with Wilson's disease

(2) a patient who is clinically stable after completing chelation therapy

(3) a patient who cannot take penicillamine or an alternative chelator

 

Dose: 50 mg of elemental zinc (sans salt) taken three times a day before meals (food interferes with absorption).

 

Molecular weight of zinc: 65.39 g

Zinc Salt	Molecular Weight	Amount to Provide 50 mg of Elemental Zinc
zinc acetate	183.48	140 mg
zinc sulphate	161.45	123 mg

 

Blood and urine zinc levels can be used to monitor compliance with the regimen.

 

Contraindications:

(1) concurrent chelation therapy