Drug & supplement interaction

Zinc + Deferiprone

Deferiprone brand name: Ferriprox.

No Known Interaction

Medically reviewed by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS · Updated July 2026 · Pair last verified Sep 20, 2026

The bottom line No known interaction

We found no known interaction between Zinc and Deferiprone in our sources. Absence of a documented interaction is not the same as proven safety, and does not guarantee one does not exist. Do not start, stop, or change a medication or supplement based on this page; confirm with your pharmacist or doctor first. Additionally, although there is no interaction, the label for Deferiprone states a food rule worth keeping to, and the two are separately associated with some of the same side effects, which would make a new symptom harder to attribute to one or the other.

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Interaction report

Zinc and Deferiprone

We checked these two against our interaction database. Here is what we found.

No Known Interaction Found

We did not find a documented interaction between Deferiprone and Zinc in our sources. This does not guarantee that the combination is completely free of risk — there is often limited research on supplements and herbal products, especially around drug interactions.

If you decide to take both, the practical routine is simple: add one new thing at a time and note the date you started it. If the combination is going to disagree with you, it usually shows in the first days to a couple of weeks — and a start date turns “I’ve been feeling off” into something a pharmacist can actually work with. Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own.

Always talk with your pharmacist or doctor before making changes to your medications or supplements, particularly if you take several medications or have an ongoing health condition.

Zinc safety at a glance

Zinc overall Use caution Generally safe in recommended amounts, but high doses can be harmful.

Pregnancy Likely Safe When used orally and appropriately. Zinc is safe in amounts that do not exceed the tolerable upper intake level (UL) of 34 mg daily during pregnancy in those 14... Read the full pregnancy detail

Breastfeeding Likely Safe When used orally and appropriately. Zinc is safe in amounts that do not exceed the tolerable upper intake level (UL) of 34 mg daily during lactation in those 14... Read the full breastfeeding detail

Pregnancy & breastfeeding ratings are from Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — the full detail is in the Special populations card below. Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

Still wondering about combining Deferiprone and Zinc? Ask Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS directly ›

How we checked

Why No Interaction Is Listed for Deferiprone

Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes, not just single drug names. Deferiprone is filed under a single classification — oral drugs. Zinc has documented interactions with 10 drug classes — the most serious being bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (biktarvy) (moderate), cephalexin (keflex) (moderate) and cisplatin (platinol-aq) (moderate) — and none of Deferiprone’s classifications are among them.

Classification data comes from our licensed Natural Medicines dataset. A medication can belong to classes beyond those recorded there, so this describes how the check was run — it is not a safety guarantee.

Keep it in perspective

Zinc Does Interact With Other Medications

Zinc has 63 moderate, 4 minor known drug interactions in our database — Deferiprone isn’t one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 63 Minor 4 No known interaction 2,763 (incl. Deferiprone)

Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Zinc

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Zinc. Pick one to open its full report.

What to actually watch for

No Interaction Found — But Data Suggests Zinc and Deferiprone May Share Several of the Same Side Effects

This is not an interaction. Neither one changes how your body handles the other, and nothing here says they react together. What our sources do show is that each has separately been linked to the effects below — so taking both can make those effects more likely to turn up, and harder to pin on one or the other if they do. 2 of them are worth acting on rather than waiting out — marked below.

Anemia Worth acting on reported in 6.4% of FDA reports for Deferiprone Additional detail
Zinc
“There is concern that high daily doses of zinc, above the tolerable upper intake level (UL) of 40 mg per day, might increase the risk of copper deficiency, potentially leading to anemia and leukopenia. To prevent copper deficiency, some clinicians give a small dose of copper when zinc is used in high doses, long-term.”

Zinc · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in anemia.
3 sources cited

7135. Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2002.

112473. Magham K, Han J, Eilbert W, Bunney EB. Severe copper deficiency anemia caused by zinc supplement use. Am J Emerg Med 2023;72:222. PubMed

7303. Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group. A randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial of high-dose supplementation with vitamins C and E, beta carotene, and zinc for age-related macular degeneration and vision loss. AREDS report no. 8. Arch Oph
Deferiprone

Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Deferiprone, and in voluntary FDA adverse-event reports. Read the label on DailyMed ›
A low white blood cell count Worth acting on reported in 5.3% of FDA reports for Deferiprone Additional detail
Zinc
“Daily doses of 300 mg of supplemental zinc for 6 weeks appear to impair immune response. A case of erythematosus-like syndrome, including symptoms such as fever, leg ulcers, and rash, has been reported following intake of effervescent tablets (Solvezink) containing zinc 45 mg. In another case, severe neutropenia was reported after taking supplemental zinc 900 mg daily for an unknown duration.”

Zinc · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in myasthenia gravis.
3 sources cited

7135. Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2002.

87506. Fjellner, B. Drug-induced lupus erythematosus aggravated by oral zinc therapy. Acta Derm.Venereol. 1979;59(4):368-370. DOI

112473. Magham K, Han J, Eilbert W, Bunney EB. Severe copper deficiency anemia caused by zinc supplement use. Am J Emerg Med 2023;72:222. PubMed
Deferiprone

Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Deferiprone, and in voluntary FDA adverse-event reports. Read the label on DailyMed ›
Cough Additional detail
Zinc
“Occupational inhalation of zinc oxide fumes can cause metal fume fever with symptoms including fatigue, chills, fever, myalgias, cough, dyspnea, leukocytosis, thirst, metallic taste, and salivation.”

Zinc · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in cough.
1 source cited

331. Barceloux DG. Zinc. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 1999;37:279-92.
“There are several hundred reports of complete loss of sense of smell (anosmia) that may be permanent with use of zinc gluconate nasal gel, such as Zicam. Loss of sense of smell is thought to be dose related but has also been reported following a single application.”

Zinc · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in influenza.
6 sources cited

11306. Barrett S. Zicam Marketers Sued. United States District Court Western District of Michigan Southern Division, Filed October 14, 2003, Case No. 4:03CV0146.

11155. Jafek BW, Linschoten M, Murrow BW. Zicam Induced Anosmia. American Rhinologic Society 49th Annual Fall Scientific Meeting abstract. Orlando, Florida. September 20, 2003. http://app.american-rhinologic.org/programs/2003ARSFallProgram071503.pdf (Accessed 24

11707. DeCook CA, Hirsch AR. Anosmia due to inhalational zinc: a case report (abstract). Chem Senses 2000;25:659.

16800. Public Health Advisory. Loss of sense of smell with intranasal cold remedies containing zinc. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, June 16, 2009. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PublicHealthAdvisories/ucm166059.htm (Accessed 16 June 2009)

16801. Dooren JC. FDA warns against use of Zicam. The Wall Street Journal, June 16, 2009. Available at: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124516778692319231.html#mod=djemHL?mg=com-wsj (Accessed 16 June 2009).

17083. Alexander TH, Davidson TM. Intranasal zinc and anosmia: the zinc-induced anosmia syndrome. Laryngoscope 2006;116:217-20.
Deferiprone

Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Deferiprone. Read the label on DailyMed ›
Stomach upset Additional detail
Zinc
“Orally, zinc can cause nausea, vomiting, a metallic or objectionable taste in the mouth, abdominal cramping, indigestion, heartburn, dry mouth, and mouth irritation. When used orally in amounts above the tolerable upper intake level, zinc may cause irritation and corrosion of the gastrointestinal tract, watery diarrhea, epigastric pain, and severe vomiting.

Intranasally, zinc can cause bad taste, dry mouth, and burni…”

Zinc · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in diarrhea.
6 sources cited

338. Smith DS, Helzner EC, Nuttall CE Jr, et al. Failure of zinc gluconate in treatment of acute upper respiratory tract infections. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1989;33:646-8. PubMed

2663. Chan S, Gerson B, Subramaniam S. The role of copper, molybdenum, selenium, and zinc in nutrition and health. Clin Lab Med 1998;18:673-85. DOI

2681. Fosmire GJ. Zinc toxicity. Am J Clin Nutr 1990;51:225-7.

6592. Wray D. A double-blind trial of systemic zinc sulfate in recurrent aphthous stomatitis. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol 1982;53:469-72. PubMed

6700. Douglas RM, Miles HB, Moore BW, et al. Failure of effervescent zinc acetate lozenges to alter the course of upper respiratory tract infections in Australian adults. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1987;31:1263-5. PubMed

18216. Science M, Johnstone J, Roth DE, et al. Zinc for the treatment of the common cold: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. CMAJ 2012;184:E551-61. PubMed
Deferiprone

Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Deferiprone. Read the label on DailyMed ›
Fever Additional detail

Zinc

Recorded for Zinc in the same Natural Medicines adverse-effect record shown under Cough above.

Deferiprone

Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Deferiprone. Read the label on DailyMed ›
Stomach pain / Vomiting / Diarrhea / Nausea reported in 5.3% of FDA reports for Deferiprone Additional detail

Zinc

Recorded for Zinc in the same Natural Medicines adverse-effect record shown under Anemia above.

Deferiprone

Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Deferiprone, and in voluntary FDA adverse-event reports. Read the label on DailyMed ›
Headache Additional detail
Zinc
“Zinc-containing denture adhesives can cause toxicity if used more frequently than recommended for several years. Case reports describe hyperzincemia, low copper levels, blood dyscrasias, and neurological problems, including sensory disturbances, numbness, tingling, limb weakness, and difficulty walking in patients applying denture adhesive multiple times daily for several years.”

Zinc · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in cluster headache.
6 sources cited

17092. Health Canada / GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare. Association of long-term, excessive use of zinc-containing Poli-Grip products with myeloneuropathy and blood dyscrasias. February 18, 2010. Available at: http://hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/alt_formats/pdf/medef

17093. GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Advisory. GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) warns about a potential health risk associated with long-term, excessive use of GSK's zinc-containing denture adhesives Super Polygrip Original, Ultra Fresh and Extra Care. February 18, 2010. Availa

90205. Crown LA, May JA. Zinc toxicity: denture adhesives, bone marrow failure and polyneuropathy. Tenn Med. 2012 Feb;105(2):39-40, 42.

90233. Zittel S, Ufer F, Gerloff C, Münchau A, Rosenkranz M. Severe myelopathy after denture cream use--is copper deficiency or excess zinc the cause? Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2014 Jun;121:17-8. PubMed

8628. Turner RB. Ineffectiveness of intranasal zinc gluconate for prevention of experimental rhinovirus colds. Clin Infect Dis 2001;33:1865-70. PubMed

87534. Bosch, F. and Jimenez, E. Post-marketing surveillance of zinc acexamate in peptic ulcer treatment. Clin Trials J 1990;27:301-312.
Deferiprone

Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Deferiprone. Read the label on DailyMed ›

Reported for Zinc but not commonly for Deferiprone: unsteadiness, mouth irritation or sores, a change in taste and numbness or tingling.

Effects for Deferiprone come from the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of its FDA label; effects for Zinc come from the Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, quoted above. Where a percentage is shown, it is the share of 3,004 voluntary FDA FAERS reports for Deferiprone that mention that effect — a reporting proportion, not an incidence rate and not evidence the drug caused it. Wording is matched across sources by our own clinical vocabulary, so treat this as a prompt to pay attention, not a diagnosis.

Special populations

Zinc in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Pregnancy Likely Safe

When used orally and appropriately. Zinc is safe in amounts that do not exceed the tolerable upper intake level (UL) of 34 mg daily during pregnancy in those 14-18 years of age and 40 mg daily in those 19-50 years of age.

Pregnancy Likely Unsafe

When used orally in doses exceeding the UL.

Lactation Likely Safe

When used orally and appropriately. Zinc is safe in amounts that do not exceed the tolerable upper intake level (UL) of 34 mg daily during lactation in those 14-18 years of age, and 40 mg daily for those 19-50 years of age.

Lactation Possibly Unsafe

When used orally in doses exceeding the UL. Higher doses can cause zinc-induced copper deficiency in nursing infants.

DISCLAIMER: This tool is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Patients should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.© 2026 Therapeutic Research Center

How to take them

Some Deferiprone Products Have a Food Rule — Zinc Should Not Break It

At least one FDA label for a product containing Deferiprone says to take it with food. If you take Zinc on an empty stomach out of habit, keep them separate — and take Deferiprone with a meal where the label says to.

This may not be true of your version. Food instructions belong to the product, not the ingredient: two Deferiprone products can carry different directions, and extended-release forms often differ from immediate-release ones. The label we read is quoted below — check the directions on your own box or bottle, or ask your pharmacist, for how to take the exact product you were given.

Recommended Dosage for 1,000 mg FERRIPROX T ablets ( twice a day) for Adult and Pediatric Patients with Transfusional Iron Overload due to Thalassemia Syndromes, Sickle Cell Disease or Other Anemias Starting Dos ag e for T wice a Day Tablets The recommended starting oral dosage of FERRIPROX Tablets (twice a day) is 75 mg/kg/day (actual body weight) in two divided doses per day (taken approxima

From the Dosage and Administration section of the FDA label we read for Deferiprone — where that label names a specific product, the instruction is that product's. Read the label on DailyMed ›

A food rule is not an interaction — it is about how much of the medicine you absorb. The directions that came with your own product, and your pharmacist, outrank anything on this page.

Overlapping uses

What Deferiprone Is Prescribed For, and What Zinc Has Been Studied For

These two come up together because they touch the same health topic — not because they do the same job. Deferiprone is a prescription medicine with approved uses on its FDA label. Zinc is a supplement: what follows is what researchers have looked at it for, and how strong that evidence is.

Deferiprone is prescribed for: Deferiprone is used to remove excess iron that builds up in the body from repeated blood transfusions — a condition called transfusional iron overload. Too much iron in the body can damage organs over time, so deferiprone works to capture and remove it. Ferriprox oral solution is approved for adults and children 3 years and older with thalassemia syndromes, sickle cell disease, or other anemias. Ferriprox tablets are approved for adults and children 8 years and older with the same conditions.

Read the rest of what Deferiprone is prescribed for

Deferiprone tablets (generic) are approved for adult patients with thalassemia syndromes when their current iron-removal treatment is not working well enough.

Zinc has been studied for:

Sickle cell disease Natural Medicines rates the evidence for Zinc: Possibly Effective Read what the research shows

Zinc for sickle cell disease

Oral zinc seems to improve symptoms of sickle cell disease in patients with zinc deficiency.

Effectiveness ratings and the research summaries above are the verbatim record from the Natural Medicines database, which grades evidence from “Effective” down to “Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate”. A rating below the top of that scale means researchers have looked at it — not that it works, and never that it can stand in for a prescribed medicine. Do not stop or replace Deferiprone on your own; if you are taking Zinc for the same health topic, tell your prescriber, especially if the medicine is being adjusted to a target.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Deferiprone

This page covers Zinc only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Deferiprone page lists 17 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Coffee Charcoal (moderate), European Mandrake (moderate), Glucomannan (moderate) and Guar Gum (moderate).

By severity: 1 major · 7 moderate · 9 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Deferiprone page

“Deferiprone (Ferriprox) pulls excess iron out of the body in conditions like thalassemia, and that job depends on the pill actually being absorbed. Every one of the 17 supplements flagged against it threatens that step, which is why this list warrants real vigilance rather than a shrug.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Deferiprone interaction page

One more smart check

Taking Zinc as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 26,692 real supplement products containing Zinc, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Zinc. Even though Zinc itself has no known interaction with Deferiprone, another ingredient on your label might. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Zinc and Deferiprone Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Zinc

Top 10

#7 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Medication Deferiprone

Top half

#903 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Where does our data come from?

Source: the Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) clinical database — the evidence-graded professional reference for herb & supplement interactions.
Citation library: 103,510 references behind our interaction content, 65,311 of them resolved to verified PubMed/DOI sources. See every Zinc reference on this page ↓
Freshness: we automatically re-check this combination every week — this pair was last verified September 20, 2026. The Zinc and Deferiprone records this page draws on were last updated July 11, 2026.
What “no known interaction” means: no documented interaction in the sources above — not a guarantee of safety. Supplements are studied far less than prescription drugs, so we say exactly what the evidence supports, and nothing more.

Data structure & sourcing designed and verified by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS.

Supplement

About Zinc

What is Zinc?

Zinc deficiency
Immune support
Cold symptoms
Acne
Wound healing

Zinc is an essential mineral that your body needs for immune function, wound healing, taste, and smell. Most people get enough from food, but supplements can help correct or prevent a deficiency. Taking too much zinc for too long can cause harm, so check with a pharmacist or doctor before using high-dose supplements.

Not applicable (an essential mineral) · Tablets, capsules, lozenges, liquid, and topical creams

An interaction check asks whether these two react with each other — it does not ask whether Zinc is a good idea for someone in your situation. Here is what our Zinc record says about it on its own.

Zinc: dosing

The right amount of zinc depends on your age, sex, health, and the reason you are taking it. A standardized supplement dose is not established for most uses, and different products contain different amounts and forms of zinc.For general nutrition, many people meet their needs through food and a standard multivitamin. Avoid taking high doses long-term on your own.

From our Zinc monograph — the full record covers uses, side effects and every documented interaction.

Read the full Zinc monograph & all interactions

Medication

About Deferiprone

What Is Deferiprone Used For?

Brand name: Ferriprox

Deferiprone is used to remove excess iron that builds up in the body from repeated blood transfusions — a condition called transfusional iron overload. Too much iron in the body can damage organs over time, so deferiprone works to capture and remove it.

Ferriprox oral solution is approved for adults and children 3 years and older with thalassemia syndromes, sickle cell disease, or other anemias. Ferriprox tablets are approved for adults and children 8 years and older with the same conditions. Deferiprone tablets (generic) are approved for adult patients with thalassemia syndromes when their current iron-removal treatment is not working well enough.

Most-Reported Side Effects for Deferiprone

From FAERS, the FDA’s public side-effect reporting system (3,004 reports, all brands). Reports are voluntary and are not proof the drug caused the effect.

Sickle cell anaemia with crisis 191 reports

Agranulocytosis 158 reports

Nausea 158 reports

Fatigue 138 reports

Ill-defined disorder 135 reports

See full Deferiprone drug information

Keep checking

Other Drugs & Zinc

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Zinc — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

0Major

63Moderate

4Minor

2,762No known interaction

63 Moderate 4 Minor 2,762 No interaction

Moderate

63 interactions

Showing 60 of 63 moderate interactions — see all 63 on the Zinc page.

Minor

4 interactions

No interaction 2,762 drugs checked — show the list

We also checked Zinc against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,762 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Zinc list.

See the full Zinc interactions page

See every supplement checked against Deferiprone, ranked by severity

Evidence & sources

Zinc References

The 88 references that drive our Zinc monograph and interaction data, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Citations with a link open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Barceloux DG. Zinc. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 1999;37:279-92.
Eby GA, Davis DR, Halcomb WW. Reduction in duration of common colds by zinc gluconate lozenges in a double-blind study. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1984;25:20-4. DOI
Smith DS, Helzner EC, Nuttall CE Jr, et al. Failure of zinc gluconate in treatment of acute upper respiratory tract infections. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1989;33:646-8. PubMed
Blondeau JM. Expanded activity and utility of the new fluoroquinolones: a review. Clin Ther 1999;21:3-40. PubMed
Reyes AJ, Olhaberry JV, Leary WP, et al. Urinary zinc excretion, diuretics, zinc deficiency and some side-effects of diuretics. S Afr Med J 1983;64:936-41.
Kugelmas M. Preliminary observation: oral zinc sulfate replacement is effective in treating muscle cramps in cirrhotic patients. J Am Coll Nutr 2000;19:13-5. PubMed
Hebel SK, ed. Drug Facts and Comparisons. 52nd ed. St. Louis: Facts and Comparisons, 1998.
Chan S, Gerson B, Subramaniam S. The role of copper, molybdenum, selenium, and zinc in nutrition and health. Clin Lab Med 1998;18:673-85. DOI
Brewer GJ, Yuzbasiyan-Gurkan V, Johnson V, et al. Treatment of Wilson's disease with zinc: XI. Interaction with other anticopper agents. J Am Coll Nutr 1993;12:26-30. PubMed
Fosmire GJ. Zinc toxicity. Am J Clin Nutr 1990;51:225-7.
Lomaestro BM, Bailie GR. Absorption interactions with fluoroquinolones. 1995 update. Drug Saf 1995;12:314-33. PubMed
Hansten PD, Horn JR. Drug Interactions Analysis and Management. Vancouver, WA: Applied Therapeutics Inc., 1997 and updates.
Seelig MS. Auto-immune complications of D-penicillamine - A possible result of zinc and magnesium depletion and of pyridoxine inactivation. J Am Coll Nutr 1982;1:207-14. PubMed
Neuvonen PJ. Interactions with the absorption of tetracyclines. Drugs 1976;11:45-54.. PubMed
Hirt M, Nobel S, Barron E. Zinc nasal gel for the treatment of common cold symptoms: A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Ear Nose Throat J 2000;79:778-82.. DOI
Simkin PA. Oral zinc sulphate in rheumatoid arthritis. Lancet 1976;2:539-42. PubMed
Wray D. A double-blind trial of systemic zinc sulfate in recurrent aphthous stomatitis. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol 1982;53:469-72. PubMed
Douglas RM, Miles HB, Moore BW, et al. Failure of effervescent zinc acetate lozenges to alter the course of upper respiratory tract infections in Australian adults. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1987;31:1263-5. PubMed
Lagiou P, Wuu J, Trichopoulou A, et al. Diet and benign prostatic hyperplasia: a study in Greece. Urology 1999;54:284-90. PubMed
Ewing CI, Gibbs AC, Ashcroft C, David TJ. Failure of oral zinc supplementation in atopic eczema. Eur J Clin Nutr 1991;45:507-10.
Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2002.
Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group. A randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial of high-dose supplementation with vitamins C and E, beta carotene, and zinc for age-related macular degeneration and vision loss. AREDS report no. 8. Arch Oph
Greenberg JE, Lynn M, Kirsner RS, et al. Mucocutaneous pigmented macule as a result of zinc deposition. J Cutan Pathol 2002;29:613-5. PubMed
Godfrey HR, Godfrey NJ, Godfrey JC, Riley D. A randomized clinical trial on the treatment of oral herpes with topical zinc oxide/glycine. Altern Ther Health Med 2001;7:49-56.
Turner RB. Ineffectiveness of intranasal zinc gluconate for prevention of experimental rhinovirus colds. Clin Infect Dis 2001;33:1865-70. PubMed
Belongia EA, Berg R, Liu K. A randomized trial of zinc nasal spray for the treatment of upper respiratory illness in adults. Am J Med 2001;111:103-8. PubMed
Mossad SB. Effect of zincum gluconicum nasal gel on the duration and symptom severity of the common cold in otherwise healthy adults. QJM 2003;96:35-43. DOI
Leitzmann MF, Stampfer MJ, Wu K, et al. Zinc supplement use and risk of prostate cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst 2003;95:1004-7.. PubMed
Jafek BW, Linschoten M, Murrow BW. Zicam Induced Anosmia. American Rhinologic Society 49th Annual Fall Scientific Meeting abstract. Orlando, Florida. September 20, 2003. http://app.american-rhinologic.org/programs/2003ARSFallProgram071503.pdf (Accessed 24
Uebayashi H, Hatanaka T, Kanemura F, Tonosaki K. Acute anosmia in the mouse: behavioral discrimination among the four basic taste substances. Physiol Behav 2001;72:291-6.. PubMed
Barrett S. Zicam Marketers Sued. United States District Court Western District of Michigan Southern Division, Filed October 14, 2003, Case No. 4:03CV0146.
Bilici M, Yildirim F, Kandil S, et al. Double-blind, placebo-controlled study of zinc sulfate in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2004;28:181-90.. PubMed
Polk RE, Healy DP, Sahai J, et al. Effect of ferrous sulfate and multivitamins with zinc on absorption of ciprofloxacin in normal volunteers. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1989;33:1841-4. PubMed
Mery C, Delrieu F, Ghozlan R, et al. Controlled trial of D-penicillamine in rheumatoid arthritis. Dose effect and the role of zinc. Scand J Rheumatol 1976;5:241-7. PubMed
Penttila O, Hurme H, Neuvonen PJ. Effect of zinc sulfate on the absorption of tetracycline and doxycycline in man. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 1975;9:131-4.
Kondo Y, Yamagata K, Satoh M, et al. Optimal administration schedule of cisplatin for bladder tumor with minimal induction of metallothionein. J Urol 2003;170:2467-70. PubMed
Doz F, Berens ME, Deschepper CF, et al. Experimental basis for increasing the therapeutic index of cis-diamminedicarboxylatocyclobutaneplatinum(II) in brain tumor therapy by a high-zinc diet. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 1992;29:219-26.
Wester PO. Urinary zinc excretion during treatment with different diuretics. Acta Med Scand 1980;208:209-12. PubMed
Golik A, Modai D, Weissgarten J, et al. Hydrochlorothiazide-amiloride causes excessive urinary zinc excretion. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1987;42:42-4. PubMed
Leary WP, Reyes AJ, Van der Byl K. Urinary magnesium and zinc excretion after two different single doses of amiloride in healthy adults. Curr Ther Res 1983;34:205-16.
McBride K, Slotnick B, Margolis FL. Does intranasal application of zinc sulfate produce anosmia in the mouse? An olfactometric and anatomical study. Chem Senses 2003;28:659-70. PubMed
Burd GD. Morphological study of the effects of intranasal zinc sulfate irrigation on the mouse olfactory epithelium and olfactory bulb. Microsc Res Tech 1993;24:195-213. PubMed
Ducray A, Bondier JR, Michel G, et al. Recovery following peripheral destruction of olfactory neurons in young and adult mice. Eur J Neurosci 2002;15:1907-17. PubMed
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Medication overviews come from MedlinePlus (NIH); supplement label data from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Zinc and Deferiprone Together: Common Questions

Is it safe to take Zinc with Deferiprone?

We do not list a known interaction between Zinc and Deferiprone. That does not guarantee the combination is risk-free, so confirm with your pharmacist or doctor — especially if you take other medications or have a health condition.

Do Zinc and Deferiprone have any of the same side effects?

Yes — our sources link each of them separately to 10 of the same effects. That is not an interaction: neither changes how your body handles the other. It does mean that if one of those effects turns up, it can be harder to tell which one is behind it. They are listed on this page with the source behind each.

Should I take Zinc and Deferiprone at the same time of day?

At least one FDA label for a product containing Deferiprone says to take it with food. If you take Zinc on an empty stomach out of habit, keep them separate and take Deferiprone with a meal where the label says to. Food instructions belong to the product rather than the ingredient — two Deferiprone products can differ — so check the directions on your own box. This is about absorption, not an interaction.

Are Zinc and Deferiprone used for the same thing?

They overlap in purpose, which usually means the real question is whether you need both rather than whether they are safe together. This page lists the shared uses and how strong the evidence is for Zinc in each. That is a conversation for your prescriber, especially if Deferiprone is being adjusted to a target.

How was the Zinc and Deferiprone combination checked?

Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes. Deferiprone is filed under 1 classification, and Zinc has documented interactions with 10 drug classes — none of Deferiprone's classifications are among them. A medication can belong to classes beyond those recorded in our dataset, so this describes how the check was run rather than guaranteeing safety.

Does Zinc interact with any other medications?

Yes. Zinc has 67 documented drug interactions in our database — Deferiprone is simply not one of them. If you take anything else, it is worth checking each one; they are all listed on this page.

Does Deferiprone interact with any supplements?

Yes. Deferiprone has documented interactions with 17 supplements in our database — Zinc is not one of them. The Deferiprone interaction page linked on this page lists every one, ranked by severity.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Where next

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Zinc monograph Uses, safety profile, and every drug interaction in one place Deferiprone drug information The full plain-English guide to this medication Deferiprone supplement interactions Every supplement checked against Deferiprone, ranked by severity Supplement interaction checker Check any supplement or product against your medications Browse medications A–Z Every drug we’ve checked against herbs & supplements References The 88 citations behind this page Ask a pharmacist Free, personal answer from our licensed team

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This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.