Essential Zinc 50 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions
by Sundown
What is this page for?
First and foremost: checking Essential Zinc 50 mg against your medications. The heart of this page is the interaction checker and the full interaction report — how this product’s ingredients may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may be taking.
Around that, we add a pharmacist’s high-level view of the product as a whole — what’s inside, the evidence for its stated use, how transparent the label is, and what safety data exists — so you can see the full picture in one place. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases and the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist — not medical advice — and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy
Essential Zinc 50 mg is a dietary supplement by Sundown with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for zinc deficiency, immune support, cold symptoms.Based on those ingredients, 67 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Zinc. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.
Check Your Meds Against Essential Zinc 50 mg by Sundown
Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Essential Zinc 50 mg by Sundown — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.
AI summaries are generated from our interaction database for education only — always confirm with your pharmacist. How we use AI
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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Essential Zinc 50 mg by Sundown
Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.
What’s inside
Full disclosure
This product contains one active ingredient: zinc 50 mg per serving. Zinc is an essential mineral your body uses for immune function, wound healing, and protein breakdown.
It comes in a form with vegetable cellulose, dicalcium phosphate, and a small amount of other inactive ingredients that help hold the supplement together.
Does it work?
Moderate evidence
Zinc is effective for treating zinc deficiency and likely effective for Wilson disease (a rare copper-storage disorder). It's possibly effective for acne, acrodermatitis enteropathica (a genetic skin condition), age-related macular degeneration, and diabetes, though the evidence for those uses is less established.
If you're taking this for one of those conditions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it's the right choice for your situation.
How safe is it?
Well-documented data
Zinc is well tolerated at doses below 40 mg daily—this product is 50 mg, which exceeds that guideline. Most common side effects from oral zinc are dose-related and mild: stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea, and a metallic taste.
High daily doses above 40 mg taken long-term can raise the risk of copper deficiency, which may lead to anemia. The facts note that pregnancy ratings are conflicting (one says likely safe, another says likely unsafe), so you'll want to ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking this if you're pregnant or nursing to clarify which rating applies to your situation.
Meds to double-check
Moderate interaction found
Before taking this, check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take any quinolone antibiotics (like ciprofloxacin), tetracyclines (like doxycycline), cephalexin, penicillamine, or HIV medications including ritonavir, integrase inhibitors, or Biktarvy. All of these can lose effectiveness if taken at the same time as zinc.
Space them at least 2–6 hours apart depending on the drug.
The bottom line
Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with some supporting evidence for its stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.
Zinc 50 mg works for confirmed zinc deficiency and may help with Wilson disease, acne, and a few other conditions—though the evidence for those is less solid. The main thing to watch is spacing it away from antibiotics and HIV medications by at least 2–4 hours, since it can block how your body absorbs them.
Because this dose exceeds the upper daily limit and pregnancy safety is unclear, it's worth running your exact medications and personal situation past your own doctor or pharmacist before you start.
Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI
Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Jan 25, 2020.
This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed
General information
Key facts about Essential Zinc 50 mg, straight from the product label.
| Brand | Sundown |
|---|---|
| Barcode (UPC) | 030768006914 |
| Net contents | 100 Caplet(s) |
| Market status | On market |
| Date entered into DSLD | Jan 25, 2020 |
| DSLD ID | 212441 |
| Product type | Mineral |
| Supplement form | Other (e.g. Tea Bag) |
| Dietary claims / uses | All Other, Structure/Function |
| Intended target group(s) | Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Sugar Free |
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.
Supplement Facts
The label details for Essential Zinc 50 mg by Sundown, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.
Supplement Facts
| Ingredient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Zinc | 50 mg | 455% |
Other ingredients: Vegetable Cellulose, Dicalcium Phosphate, Contains <2% of
Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Formulation
Clean nutrition Sundown believes in clean nutrition and being transparent. That's why you won't find genetically modified ingredients, gluten, wheat, dairy, lactose or artificial flavors in any of our products. Non-GMO No gluten No wheat No milk No lactose No artificial color No artificial flavor No artificial sweetener No preservatives No sugar No soy No starch No yeast No peanuts No tree nuts No fish Sodium free
Supports immune health & energy metabolism
Vegetarian
Precautions
Keep out of reach of children.
Tamper resistant: Do not use if seal under cap is broken or missing.
Warning: If you are pregnant, nursing, taking any medications, including blood thinners, or have any medical condition, consult your doctor before use.
Discontinue use and consult your doctor if any adverse reactions occur.
Storage
Store at room temperature and avoid excessive heat.
General Statements
Made in the USA with select ingredients from around the world
US Only Discard seal & empty before recycling Check locally Plastic bottle how2recycle.info Not recycled in all communities
Brand IP Statement(s)
2019
FDA Statement of Identity
Mineral Supplement
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions
Directions: For adults, take one (1) caplet daily, preferably with a meal. As a reminder, discuss the supplements and medications you take with your health care providers.
FDA Disclaimer Statement
This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.
Essential Zinc 50 mg by Sundown label
The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.
Label images are published by the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database for the version of this product on file. Always read your actual product label.
View the full label (PDF)The Ingredients in Essential Zinc 50 mg by Sundown
This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.
Serving size1 Caplet(s) Dosage formOther (e.g. Tea Bag) Amounts shown are per serving.
Zinc
Interacts with67 drugs
Zinc is an essential mineral that your body needs for immune function, wound healing, taste, and smell. Most people get enough from food, but suppleme...
Zinc monograph & interactionsOther (inactive) ingredients: Vegetable Cellulose, Dicalcium Phosphate, Contains <2% of. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.
Essential Zinc 50 mg by Sundown Drug Interactions
HelloPharmacist Interaction Report
Sundown's Essential Zinc 50 mg interacts with several antibiotic and antiviral medication types.
The most serious concern is with quinolone antibiotics (like ciprofloxacin), tetracycline antibiotics (like doxycycline), and cephalexin—all rated Moderate severity—because zinc forms complexes in your gut that block absorption of both the antibiotic and the zinc itself. Studies show tetracyclines can lose 30–40% of their effectiveness when taken with zinc, and cephalexin levels can drop by as much as 31%.
The same applies to penicillamine, an older drug used for copper overload.
Read the full breakdown — every affected drug type, severity by severity
Zinc also interacts with several HIV and antiviral medications at Moderate severity: ritonavir (a protease inhibitor), integrase inhibitors (like dolutegravir in Biktarvy), and the combination product bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide. These work through similar chelation—zinc binds the drug in your intestines and cuts how much gets into your blood.
Additionally, there's a theoretical concern with cisplatin (a chemotherapy drug) and zinc, as animal research suggests zinc might interfere with how the drug kills cancer cells, though this hasn't been proven in humans.
Additionally, if you take any medication that needs to be absorbed carefully—from antibiotics to antiretrovirals—you'll want to space it away from this supplement. The general rule is at least 2 hours before or 4–6 hours after your zinc dose.
Altogether, these interactions span 67 individual medications. Use the interaction checker below to verify your exact prescriptions before starting.
Check your own medications below · Editorial policy · How we use AI
Want to check YOUR meds against Essential Zinc 50 mg?
Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.
Go to the checkerIngredients driving the most interactions
Individual Drug Interactions
The ingredients in Essential Zinc 50 mg interact with 67 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.
1 of the 1 ingredient in Essential Zinc 50 mg interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Zinc
Amphotericin, TetracyclineMysteclin-F
How Amphotericin, Tetracycline interacts with Essential Zinc 50 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ZincTetracycline Antibiotics Moderate
Interaction Summary
Zinc might reduce levels of tetracycline antibiotics.
Read the full Zinc + Amphotericin, Tetracycline interactionBictegravir, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir AlafenamideBiktarvy
How Bictegravir, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir Alafenamide interacts with Essential Zinc 50 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ZincBictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir Alafenamide (biktarvy) Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, zinc might decrease levels of bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide by reducing its absorption.
Read the full Zinc + Bictegravir, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir Alafenamide interactionBismuth Subsalicylate, Metronidazole, TetracyclineHelidac
How Bismuth Subsalicylate, Metronidazole, Tetracycline interacts with Essential Zinc 50 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ZincTetracycline Antibiotics Moderate
Interaction Summary
Zinc might reduce levels of tetracycline antibiotics.
Read the full Zinc + Bismuth Subsalicylate, Metronidazole, Tetracycline interactionCephalexinCephalex, Keflex, Keftab, Lexin
How Cephalexin interacts with Essential Zinc 50 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ZincCephalexin (keflex) Moderate
Interaction Summary
Zinc might decrease cephalexin levels by chelating with cephalexin in the gut and preventing its absorption.
Read the full Zinc + Cephalexin interactionChlortetracyclineAureomycin
How Chlortetracycline interacts with Essential Zinc 50 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ZincTetracycline Antibiotics Moderate
Interaction Summary
Zinc might reduce levels of tetracycline antibiotics.
Read the full Zinc + Chlortetracycline interactionCinoxacinCinobac
How Cinoxacin interacts with Essential Zinc 50 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ZincQuinolone Antibiotics Moderate
Interaction Summary
Zinc can decrease the levels and clinical effects of quinolones antibiotics.
Read the full Zinc + Cinoxacin interactionCiprofloxacinCiloxan, Cipro, Cipro IV, Cipro XR, Ciprobay, Otiprio
How Ciprofloxacin interacts with Essential Zinc 50 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ZincQuinolone Antibiotics Moderate
Interaction Summary
Zinc can decrease the levels and clinical effects of quinolones antibiotics.
Read the full Zinc + Ciprofloxacin interactionCisplatinPlatinol-AQ
How Cisplatin interacts with Essential Zinc 50 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ZincCisplatin (platinol-aq) Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, zinc might interfere with the therapeutic effects of cisplatin.
Read the full Zinc + Cisplatin interactionClinafloxacinClinafloxacin
How Clinafloxacin interacts with Essential Zinc 50 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ZincQuinolone Antibiotics Moderate
Interaction Summary
Zinc can decrease the levels and clinical effects of quinolones antibiotics.
Read the full Zinc + Clinafloxacin interactionCobicistat, Elvitegravir, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir Alafenamide FumarateGenvoya
How Cobicistat, Elvitegravir, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir Alafenamide Fumarate interacts with Essential Zinc 50 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ZincBictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir Alafenamide (biktarvy) Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, zinc might decrease levels of bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide by reducing its absorption.
Read the full Zinc + Cobicistat, Elvitegravir, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir Alafenamide Fumarate interactionDarunavir, Cobicistat, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir AlafenamideSymtuza
How Darunavir, Cobicistat, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir Alafenamide interacts with Essential Zinc 50 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ZincBictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir Alafenamide (biktarvy) Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, zinc might decrease levels of bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide by reducing its absorption.
Read the full Zinc + Darunavir, Cobicistat, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir Alafenamide interactionDarunavir, RitonavirDarunavir, Ritonavir
How Darunavir, Ritonavir interacts with Essential Zinc 50 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ZincRitonavir (norvir) Moderate
Interaction Summary
Zinc modestly reduces levels of ritonavir.
Read the full Zinc + Darunavir, Ritonavir interactionDasabuvir Sodium, Ombitasvir, Paritaprevir, RitonavirViekira XR
How Dasabuvir Sodium, Ombitasvir, Paritaprevir, Ritonavir interacts with Essential Zinc 50 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ZincRitonavir (norvir) Moderate
Interaction Summary
Zinc modestly reduces levels of ritonavir.
Read the full Zinc + Dasabuvir Sodium, Ombitasvir, Paritaprevir, Ritonavir interactionDemeclocyclineDeclomycin
How Demeclocycline interacts with Essential Zinc 50 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ZincTetracycline Antibiotics Moderate
Interaction Summary
Zinc might reduce levels of tetracycline antibiotics.
Read the full Zinc + Demeclocycline interactionDolutegravir, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir AlafenamideDolutegravir, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir Alafenamide
How Dolutegravir, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir Alafenamide interacts with Essential Zinc 50 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ZincBictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir Alafenamide (biktarvy) Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, zinc might decrease levels of bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide by reducing its absorption.
Read the full Zinc + Dolutegravir, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir Alafenamide interactionDoripenemDoribax
How Doripenem interacts with Essential Zinc 50 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ZincQuinolone Antibiotics, Tetracycline Antibiotics Moderate
Interaction Summary
Zinc can decrease the levels and clinical effects of quinolones antibiotics.
Read the full Zinc + Doripenem interactionDoxycyclineDoryx, Doxy, Doxy-D, Doxycin, Doxycycline Injection, Doxylin +6 more
How Doxycycline interacts with Essential Zinc 50 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ZincTetracycline Antibiotics Moderate
Interaction Summary
Zinc might reduce levels of tetracycline antibiotics.
Read the full Zinc + Doxycycline interactionDoxycycline HyclateActiclate, Acticlate Cap, Lymepak
How Doxycycline Hyclate interacts with Essential Zinc 50 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ZincTetracycline Antibiotics Moderate
Interaction Summary
Zinc might reduce levels of tetracycline antibiotics.
Read the full Zinc + Doxycycline Hyclate interactionDoxycycline MonohydrateErfacea
How Doxycycline Monohydrate interacts with Essential Zinc 50 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ZincTetracycline Antibiotics Moderate
Interaction Summary
Zinc might reduce levels of tetracycline antibiotics.
Read the full Zinc + Doxycycline Monohydrate interactionDoxycylineDoxychel
How Doxycyline interacts with Essential Zinc 50 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ZincTetracycline Antibiotics Moderate
Interaction Summary
Zinc might reduce levels of tetracycline antibiotics.
Read the full Zinc + Doxycyline interactionElvitegravir, Cobicistat, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir Disoproxil FumarateStribild
How Elvitegravir, Cobicistat, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate interacts with Essential Zinc 50 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ZincBictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir Alafenamide (biktarvy) Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, zinc might decrease levels of bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide by reducing its absorption.
Read the full Zinc + Elvitegravir, Cobicistat, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate interactionEmtricitabineEmtriva
How Emtricitabine interacts with Essential Zinc 50 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ZincBictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir Alafenamide (biktarvy) Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, zinc might decrease levels of bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide by reducing its absorption.
Read the full Zinc + Emtricitabine interactionEmtricitabine, Rilpivirine, TenofovirComplera
How Emtricitabine, Rilpivirine, Tenofovir interacts with Essential Zinc 50 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ZincBictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir Alafenamide (biktarvy) Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, zinc might decrease levels of bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide by reducing its absorption.
Read the full Zinc + Emtricitabine, Rilpivirine, Tenofovir interactionEmtricitabine, Rilpivirine, Tenofovir AlafenamideOdefsey
How Emtricitabine, Rilpivirine, Tenofovir Alafenamide interacts with Essential Zinc 50 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ZincBictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir Alafenamide (biktarvy) Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, zinc might decrease levels of bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide by reducing its absorption.
Read the full Zinc + Emtricitabine, Rilpivirine, Tenofovir Alafenamide interactionEmtricitabine, Tenofovir Alafenamide FumarateDescovy
How Emtricitabine, Tenofovir Alafenamide Fumarate interacts with Essential Zinc 50 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ZincBictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir Alafenamide (biktarvy) Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, zinc might decrease levels of bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide by reducing its absorption.
Read the full Zinc + Emtricitabine, Tenofovir Alafenamide Fumarate interactionEnoxacinPenetrex
How Enoxacin interacts with Essential Zinc 50 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ZincQuinolone Antibiotics Moderate
Interaction Summary
Zinc can decrease the levels and clinical effects of quinolones antibiotics.
Read the full Zinc + Enoxacin interactionEravacyclineXerava
How Eravacycline interacts with Essential Zinc 50 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ZincTetracycline Antibiotics Moderate
Interaction Summary
Zinc might reduce levels of tetracycline antibiotics.
Read the full Zinc + Eravacycline interactionFinafloxacinXtoro
How Finafloxacin interacts with Essential Zinc 50 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ZincQuinolone Antibiotics Moderate
Interaction Summary
Zinc can decrease the levels and clinical effects of quinolones antibiotics.
Read the full Zinc + Finafloxacin interactionGatifloxacinTequin, Tequin Injection
How Gatifloxacin interacts with Essential Zinc 50 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ZincQuinolone Antibiotics Moderate
Interaction Summary
Zinc can decrease the levels and clinical effects of quinolones antibiotics.
Read the full Zinc + Gatifloxacin interactionGemifloxacinFactive
How Gemifloxacin interacts with Essential Zinc 50 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
ZincQuinolone Antibiotics Moderate
Interaction Summary
Zinc can decrease the levels and clinical effects of quinolones antibiotics.
Read the full Zinc + Gemifloxacin interactionEach ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects
For each ingredient in Essential Zinc 50 mg with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.
Zinc
Bictegravir/Emtricitabine/Tenofovir Alafenamide (Biktarvy)
Theoretically, zinc might decrease levels of bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide by reducing its absorption.
Advise patients that bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide should be taken at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after zinc containing products.
Cephalexin (Keflex)
Zinc might decrease cephalexin levels by chelating with cephalexin in the gut and preventing its absorption.
A pharmacokinetic study shows that zinc sulfate 250 mg taken concomitantly with cephalexin 500 mg decreases peak levels of cephalexin by 31% and reduces the exposure to cephalexin by 27%. Also, taking zinc sulfate 3 hours before cephalexin decreases peak levels of cephalexin by 11% and reduces the exposure to cephalexin by 18%. By decreasing cephalexin levels, zinc might increase the risk of treatment failure. This effect does not occur when zinc is taken 3 hours after the cephalexin dose. To avoid an interaction, advise patients take zinc sulfate 3 hours after taking cephalexin.
Cisplatin (Platinol-Aq)
Theoretically, zinc might interfere with the therapeutic effects of cisplatin.
Animal research suggests that zinc stimulates tumor cell production of the protein metallothionein, which binds and inactivates cisplatin. It is not known whether zinc supplements or high dietary zinc intake can cause clinically significant interference with cisplatin therapy. Cisplatin might also increase zinc excretion.
Integrase Inhibitors
Theoretically, taking zinc along with integrase inhibitors might decrease the levels and clinical effects of these drugs.
Zinc is a divalent cation. Pharmacokinetic studies have shown that other divalent cations such as calcium and iron can decrease blood levels of the integrase inhibitor dolutegravir through chelation.
Penicillamine (Cuprimine, Depen)
Zinc might reduce the levels and clinical effects of penicillamine.
By forming an insoluble complex with penicillamine, zinc interferes with penicillamine absorption and activity. Zinc supplements reduce the efficacy of low-dose penicillamine (0.5-1 gram/day), but do not seem to affect higher doses (1-2.75 gram/day), provided dosing times are separated. Advise patients to take zinc and penicillamine at least 2 hours apart.
Quinolone Antibiotics
Zinc can decrease the levels and clinical effects of quinolones antibiotics.
Quinolones form complexes with zinc in the gastrointestinal tract, reducing absorption of both the quinolone and zinc if taken at the same time. Advise patients to take these drugs at least 2 hours before, or 4-6 hours after, zinc supplements.
Ritonavir (Norvir)
Zinc modestly reduces levels of ritonavir.
Clinical research shows that zinc might reduce serum ritonavir levels by chelating with ritonavir in the gut and preventing its absorption. In patients with HIV, ritonavir is taken with atazanavir to prevent the metabolism and increase the effects of atazanavir. A pharmacokinetic study shows that, in patients being treated with atazanavir/ritonavir, co-administration of zinc sulfate (Solvazinc tablets) 125 mg as a single dose or as multiple daily doses for 2 weeks reduces plasma levels of ritonavir by about 16%. However, atazanavir levels still remains high enough to prevent HIV virus replication. Therefore, the decrease in ritonavir levels is not likely to be clinically significant.
Tetracycline Antibiotics
Zinc might reduce levels of tetracycline antibiotics.
Tetracyclines form complexes with zinc in the gastrointestinal tract, which can reduce absorption of both the tetracycline and zinc when taken at the same time. Taking zinc sulfate 200 mg with tetracycline reduces absorption of the antibiotic by 30% to 40%. Demeclocycline and minocycline cause a similar interaction. However, doxycycline does not seem to interact significantly with zinc. Advise patients to take tetracyclines at least 2 hours before, or 4-6 hours after, zinc supplements to avoid any interactions.
Amiloride (Midamor)
Amiloride can modestly reduce zinc excretion and increase zinc levels.
Clinical research shows that amiloride can reduce urinary zinc excretion, especially at doses of 10 mg per day or more. This zinc-sparing effect can help to counteract zinc losses caused by thiazide diuretics, but it is unlikely to cause zinc toxicity at usual amiloride doses. The other potassium-sparing diuretics, spironolactone (Aldactone) and triamterene (Dyrenium), do not seem to have a zinc-sparing effect.
Atazanavir (Reyataz)
Zinc modestly reduces levels of atazanavir, although this effect does not seem to be clinically significant.
Clinical research shows that zinc might decrease serum atazanavir levels by chelating with atazanavir in the gut and preventing its absorption. Although a single dose of zinc sulfate (Solvazinc tablets) 125 mg orally does not affect atazanavir concentrations in patients being treated with atazanavir/ritonavir, co-administration of zinc sulfate 125 mg daily for 2 weeks reduces plasma levels of atazanavir by about 22% in these patients. However, despite this decrease, atazanavir levels still remain at high enough concentrations for the prevention of HIV virus replication.
Brand information
Manufacturer and brand details for Essential Zinc 50 mg, from the product label.
Sundown
See all Sundown products- Name
- Rexall Sundown, Inc.
- City
- Boca Raton
- State
- FL
- ZipCode
- 33487
- Phone Number
- 1-888-848-2435
- Web Address
- www.sundownnutrition.com
Essential Zinc 50 mg by Sundown: Common Questions
Does Essential Zinc 50 mg by Sundown interact with any medications?
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Where does this information come from?
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Is 50 mg a safe daily dose?
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Does this really work for acne?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
Not sure if Essential Zinc 50 mg is safe with your meds?
Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.
Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.
The Full Monographs Behind Essential Zinc 50 mg’s Ingredients
Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.
Sources & How We Checked
Essential Zinc 50 mg's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.
- NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD) — The official product label on file for this supplement.
- Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — Evidence-graded clinical reference behind the ingredient interaction data.
Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.
The 88 references behind this product’s interaction data
Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.
Zinc 88 references
- 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.
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