Zinc sulfate oral

Therapeutic action

Micronutrient.

Indications

Adjunct to oral rehydration therapy in the event of acute and or persistent diarrhoea in children under 5 years.

Forms and strengths

• 20 mg scored and dispersible tablet, packed in a blister.

Dose and duration

Place the half-tablet or full tablet in a teaspoon, add a bit of water to dissolve it, and give the entire spoonful to the child.

• Child under 6 months: 10 mg, half tablet, once daily for 10 days.
• Child from 6 months to 5 years: 20 mg, 1 tablet, once daily for 10 days.

Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

Tablets are packed in a blister. Leave tablets in blister until use. Once a tablet is removed from the blister, it must be dissolved and administered immediately.

• No contra-indication.
• If the child vomits within 30 minutes after swallowing the tablet, re-administer the dose.
• Do not give simultaneously with ferrous salts; administer at least 2 hours apart.