7 Signs and Symptoms of Zinc Overdose
- Nausea and Vomiting. Nausea and vomiting are commonly reported side effects of zinc toxicity. ...
- Stomach Pain and Diarrhea. Typically, stomach pain and diarrhea occur in conjunction with nausea and vomiting. ...
- Flu-Like Symptoms. ...
- Low “Good” HDL Cholesterol. ...
- Changes in Your Taste. ...
- Copper Deficiency. ...
- Frequent Infections. ...
What are the side effects of excessive zinc?
- Rash
- Hives
- Itching
- Blistered, red, swollen or peeling skin, with or without fever
- Wheezing or difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Tightness in the chest or throat
- Unusual hoarseness
- Swelling of the throat, mouth, face, lips or tongue
What effect does too much zinc have on the body?
Too much zinc in supplement form can trigger adverse effects that include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and headaches. Excess zinc can also alter the body’s copper status and iron function, reduce immunity, and lower blood levels of “good” HDL cholesterol. What are the risks of taking zinc?
Can Too Much of the supplement zinc harm you?
Zinc is an important dietary nutrient that plays crucial roles throughout the entire body. Taking in too much zinc can be harmful, however, and it may cause a range of symptoms, including nausea, diarrhea, and headaches. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS), an excessive intake of zinc can cause zinc toxicity.
Can too much zinc be harmful?
Can zinc be harmful? Yes, if you get too much. Signs of too much zinc include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and headaches. When people take too much zinc for a long time, they sometimes have problems such as low copper levels, lower immunity, and low levels of HDL cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol).
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What are the negative side effects of taking zinc?
Taking very high doses of zinc is likely unsafe and might cause stomach pain, vomiting, and many other problems. Single doses of 10-30 grams of zinc can be fatal. When applied to the skin: Zinc is likely safe. Using zinc on broken skin may cause burning, stinging, itching, and tingling.
Is it harmful to take zinc everyday?
Including zinc in your diet every day is okay, provided it is within the recommended daily allowance, which is 8 mg for women and 11 mg for adult men. Since zinc is a trace mineral, consumption of an excess amount can cause health problems.
How much zinc can you take in a day?
The National Institutes of Health considers 40 mg of zinc a day to be the upper limit dose for adults and 4 mg of zinc a day for infants under age 6 months.
Who should not take zinc?
Medications that may interfere with zinc include: blood pressure medications, penicillamine, amiloride, certain antibiotics, ACE inhibitors, cisplatin, immunosuppressant medications, deferoxamine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and thiazide diuretics.
Is it OK to take vitamin C and zinc together?
In pooled analyses of both studies (n=94), vitamin C plus zinc was significantly more efficient than placebo at reducing rhinorrhoea over 5 days of treatment. Furthermore, symptom relief was quicker and the product was well tolerated.
Can you take zinc and vitamin D together?
No interactions were found between Vitamin D3 and Zinc.
Why do I feel sick after taking zinc?
When you take a zinc supplement orally, it will dissolve in a single spot when it reaches your stomach. As it dissolves, the heavy concentration of zinc could irritate the stomach lining in that area, leading to pain or discomfort in addition to nausea or the risk of vomiting.
When should I take zinc morning or night?
Zinc is often part of multivitamins but is also taken alone or in combination with vitamin C. Its absorption is most effective on an empty stomach, but it can cause stomach upsets. In this case it should be taken with a meal and therefore not late at night.
How long does it take to vomit after zinc?
Doses greater than 225 mg are emetic, which means that vomiting is likely and can occur quickly. In one case, severe nausea and vomiting began just 30 minutes after a single zinc dose of 570 mg ( 4, 5. Trusted Source. ).
What foods contain zinc?
Food sources high in zinc include red meat, poultry, seafood, whole grains and fortified cereals. Oysters contain the highest amount, with up to 493% of the daily value in a 3-ounce (85-gram) serving ( 1. Trusted Source.
Does zinc help with nausea?
In one six-week study in 47 healthy people taking 150 mg of zinc per day, over half experienced nausea and vomiting ( 6. Trusted Source. ). Although vomiting may help rid the body of toxic amounts of zinc, it may not be enough to prevent further complications.
Does zinc cause vomiting?
Nausea and Vomiting. Share on Pinterest. Nausea and vomiting are commonly reported side effects of zinc toxicity. A review of 17 studies on the effectiveness of zinc supplements for treating the common cold found that zinc may reduce the duration of a cold, but adverse effects were common.
Can zinc be overdosed?
However, zinc overdose can occur from dietary supplements or due to accidental excess ingestion. Zinc toxicity can have both acute and chronic effects. The severity of your symptoms largely depends on the dose and duration of intake. With acute ingestion of high doses of zinc, gastrointestinal symptoms are likely.
Can zinc poisoning occur from multivitamins?
However, zinc poisoning can occur from dietary supplements, including multivitamins, or due to accidental ingestion of zinc-containing household products. Here are the 7 most common signs and symptoms of zinc overdose. 1. Nausea and Vomiting.
Does zinc interfere with copper?
Zinc and copper compete for absorption in your small intestine. Doses of zinc above the established UL can interfere with your body’s ability to absorb copper. Over time, this can cause copper deficiency ( 2 ). Like zinc, copper is an essential mineral.
What happens if you take too much zinc?
While having too much zinc is potentially problematic for anyone, there are some who need to especially vigilant: 1 Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers should stick with the recommended range because not enough is known about the impact during pregnancy. It is considered possibly unsafe in breastfeeding moms and likely unsafe for pregnant women when taken in high doses. 23 There have been reports of premature deliveries and one stillborn baby linked to excessive zinc intake but the evidence is sketchy at best. 24 2 Those with Menke’s disease are especially vulnerable due to their already compromised copper absorption and should avoid heightening the problem through zinc intake. 25 3 Anyone with HIV/AIDS should take zinc with caution because there have been suggestions that it may reduce survival time. 26
What foods can increase zinc intake?
Advertisements. You can increase dietary intake of zinc by consuming some of the foods that are rich in the nutrient. 3 Oysters, red meat, poultry, some seafood like crab and lobster, whole grains, beans, nuts, and dairy are all good sources.
Why is zinc important for the body?
Your Body Needs Zinc For Normal Growth, Reproduction, And Immune System Health. Zinc is an essential trace mineral second only to iron in concentration in the body. Your immune system, growth, reproduction, blood clotting, thyroid function, insulin function, and even smell, taste and sight depend on the availability of adequate zinc in the body.
What is the relationship between copper and zinc?
Copper and zinc have what is called a competitive absorption relationship – in other words, they’re fighting it out to bind to the same protein. When you take in a lot of zinc, copper’s ability to bind becomes weaker and causes a drop in its absorption in the body. 13.
Can zinc supplements cause side effects?
While some of these may occur as an adverse reaction to zinc supplements, they are mostly linked to excessive use. When you take a lot of zinc at doses higher than recommended, it is potentially dangerous and can cause some problems that may manifest soon after consuming them. These may become ongoing issues if intake is sustained at high levels. 4 In the next sections, you will also find out more about the more problematic as well as long-lasting effects.
Does zinc affect cholesterol?
This problem seems to potentially occur at doses greater than 40 mg. 15. Advertisements. Having too much zinc might even cause the levels of the bad low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the body to rise. 16 According to some reports, taking 150–450 mg of zinc may reduce levels of the good high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ...
Can zinc cause nausea?
For instance, in one study, researchers found that zinc lozenges used to treat the common cold can bring on nausea and a change in your taste sensations. 6 Nausea and vomiting are not uncommon for high levels of zinc intake as well.
For the Consumer
Applies to zinc sulfate: oral capsule, oral tablet, oral tablet extended release
What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
What are some other side effects of this drug?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away.
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to zinc sulfate: compounding powder, intravenous solution, oral capsule, oral tablet
Frequently asked questions
1. Office of Dietary Supplements. National Institutes of Health "Dietary supplement fact sheet: zinc. Available from: URL: http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-QuickFacts/" ( [2011 Sept 20]):
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
What happens if you take too much zinc?
diarrhea. headaches. If a person takes high levels of zinc over a long period, they can experience chronic zinc toxicity, which may lead to the following: low levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good,” cholesterol.
What are the symptoms of zinc poisoning?
Signs and symptoms of zinc toxicity. Share on Pinterest. Stomachache and nausea are possible symptoms of zinc toxicity. Zinc toxicity can be either acute, leading to short term side effects, or chronic, resulting in long term issues.
How much zinc should I take a day?
8 mg. The ODS also provide the upper limits of how much zinc is safe to take per day. The tolerable upper intake levels (ULs) refer to the largest amount of zinc that a person can take each day with little to no associated risk. People should not exceed these limits.
How long before zinc should I take fluoroquinolone?
People taking fluoroquinolone antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), or tetracycline antibiotics, such as doxycycline (Vibramycin), should take the antibiotic either 2 hours before taking zinc or 4–6 hours afterward.
How to prevent zinc overdose?
Drinking a glass of milk may help prevent the stomach and intestines from absorbing excess zinc. If a person suspects a zinc overdose, they can contact their local poison control center for advice. In the United States, the number for Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222.
How long does zinc fume fever last?
This condition is acute and very short lived, and it occurs when someone breathes in too much zinc through dust or fumes. It usually only lasts about 24–48 hours and can cause symptoms that include: chills. sweating.
What to do if you have too much zinc?
Anyone who is experiencing any of these symptoms or suspects that their job has exposed them to too much zinc should seek emergency care or call a poison control center right away. It is also important to discuss any nutritional or vitamin supplements with a doctor before starting to take them.
Zinc: Sources and Dosing
One of the most common questions among those taking zinc to boost their immune system is "Can you take too much zinc?" After all, it is used in over 100 chemical interactions that occur daily within the body [3]. Therefore, some assume that more zinc would be beneficial to the body.
Zinc Overdose Signs
An abundance of zinc in your daily diet while consuming a zinc supplement can present a health risk to your body. It is not advisable to take a large zinc supplement if you regularly consume foods containing zinc. There are two types of zinc toxicity: acute and chronic.
Copper Deficiency
Outside of the troublesome zinc overdose symptoms, the main problem with consuming too much zinc is the development of copper deficiency. While only 10mg of zinc is required each day based on the daily value nutritional chart, most doctors prescribe zinc supplements in doses of 135mg per day [13].
Take a Safe Zinc Supplement
As these studies and case reviews clearly illustrate, the safest way to approach zinc supplementation is with a low dose designed to supplement a healthy diet of foods containing zinc. This helps reduce the risk of suffering from a zinc overdose and lowers the risk of developing a copper deficiency.
What are the effects of zinc deficiency?
Zinc is used for the treatment and prevention of zinc deficiency and its consequences, including stunted growth and acute diarrhea in children, slow wound healing, and Wilson's disease.
What is the role of zinc in the body?
Zinc plays a key role in maintaining vision, and it is present in high concentrations in the eye.
How long does zinc gluconate last?
For type 2 diabetes: 25 mg of zinc gluconate has been taken twice daily for 8 weeks. For diabetes in pregnant women: 30 mg of zinc gluconate has been taken daily for 6 weeks. For reduced ability to taste (hypogeusia): 140-450 mg of zinc gluconate has been taken in up to three divided doses daily for up to 4 months.
Why is zinc considered an essential trace element?
It is called an "essential trace element" because very small amounts of zinc are necessary for human health. Since the human body does not store excess zinc, it must be consumed regularly as part of the diet. Common dietary sources of zinc include red meat, poultry, and fish.
Why is zinc important for infants?
Giving zinc to underweight infants in developing countries seems to decrease the risk of death, prevent certain complications, and improve mental ability. Giving zinc supplements to low birth weight infants in industrialized countries also seems to help prevent some complications and death.
How long after taking antibiotics can you take zinc?
To avoid this interaction take zinc supplements at least 1 hour after antibiotics. Some of these antibiotics that might interact with zinc include ciprofloxacin (Cipro), enoxacin (Penetrex), norfloxacin (Chibroxin, Noroxin), sparfloxacin (Zagam), trovafloxacin (Trovan), and grepafloxacin (Raxar).
What foods have zinc in them?
It is found in several systems and biological reactions, and it is needed for immune function, wound healing, blood clotting, thyroid function, and much more. Meats, seafood, dairy products, nuts, legumes, and whole grains offer relatively high levels of zinc.
What happens if you don't take zinc?
The important thing to understand when it comes to the benefits of zinc is that if you don’t consume enough zinc in your diet or in supplement form you will have a deficiency.
Why does zinc cause gastric pain?
If you consume more than this you many experience gastric discomfort because it may irritate the gut. You may also experience headaches accompanied by drowsiness as well as a metallic taste in the mouth. It should be noted, however, that this is when zinc is consumed at very high levels in supplement form.
What is the reason for zinc deficiency in men?
One of the telling factors for men who suffer zinc deficiency is reduced muscle mass and an overall struggle with bodybuilding. Today, most of the zinc that is consumed outside of the diet is consumed in the form of herbal supplements.
How do you know if you have zinc deficiency?
Symptoms of zinc deficiency. Your sense of taste is altered so that you cannot taste salt and sugar at normal levels. You will end up consuming more sodium and sugar than is good for you. You will get frequent diarrhea that is not linked to food poisoning.
What foods are good for zinc?
These include: red meat, poultry and fish, other kinds of sea food, dairy products, whole cereals and some dark, green, leafy vegetables.
Does zinc help with menstrual symptoms?
If you get any wound they take a long time to heal. You will hear frequent ringing in your ears. Think of zinc benefits as the opposite of these symptoms. They include good vision, great hair, skin and nails, a good appetite, proper growth in kids and teenagers and it also helps alleviate menstrual symptoms.
Is zinc good for prostate?
Zinc is an element that is necessary for women and children as well. Just do your research and make sure you are taking zinc in an appropriate way. Like most things, too much of a good thing turns into a bad thing.
For The Consumer
What Are Some Side Effects That I Need to Call My Doctor About Right away?
- WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect: 1. Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, ...
What Are Some Other Side Effects of This Drug?
- All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away. These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report …
Frequently Asked Questions
Further Information
- Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA. Medical Disclaimer