What is the recommended dose of Zinc?

- **General daily supplementation:** 15-30mg elemental zinc - **For cold treatment:** 75-100mg zinc (lozenges, started within 24 hours of symptoms) - **For zinc deficiency:** 25-45mg per day - **RD...

Is Zinc safe to take daily?

Zinc is rated "Prescription Interactions" based on clinical evidence. - **Common (at 50mg+):** Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache - **Long-term excess (>40mg/day):** Copper deficiency, this is the primary chronic risk. Copper depletion can cause anemia, immune suppression, and neurol

Does Zinc interact with any medications?

Zinc has 13 known drug interactions, including interactions with Integrase inhibitors (bictegravir, dolutegravir), Penicillamine, Tetracycline antibiotics (doxycycline, tetracycline). Check with your doctor before combining with prescription medications.

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Ingredient Research

Graded against 173,636 supplements + 177 published clinical interactions, sourced from PubMed, FDA CAERS, openFDA, NIH DSLD

Zinc

STRONG EVIDENCEMineralLast updated April 5, 2026

AVELOR SUMMARY

Zinc is an essential mineral involved in 300+ enzyme functions, immune defense, and brain health. Our research, from 68 RCTs, 12 meta-analyses, and 101,000+ participants, confirms it reduces the duration of common cold symptoms and supports immune function. It also shows emerging benefits for depression. The critical safety issue: zinc chelates (binds to) many medications in the gut, making it one of the most interaction-heavy minerals, timing your dose correctly is essential.

EVIDENCE GRADES

Acute Respiratory Tract Infection RiskStrong

Cold Symptoms DurationModerate, 10+ studies, significant improvement

URTI SymptomsModerate, 19 studies, 2,641 participants

Depression SymptomsModerate, 4 studies, 162 participants

TestosteroneModerate, in deficient men

AcneModerate

WHAT IT DOES

Reduces cold duration and symptoms, Grade A/B evidence. Most reliable when started within 24 hours of symptom onset. Zinc lozenges or syrup, not pills.
Supports immune function, Essential for immune cell development and function. Deficiency significantly impairs immunity.
May improve depression symptoms, Grade B evidence from 4 studies. Small but consistent improvement.
Supports testosterone (in deficient men), Grade B evidence. Only meaningful if you're deficient, won't boost above normal.
May improve acne, Grade B evidence. Anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties.

OPTIMAL DOSAGE

General daily supplementation: 15-30mg elemental zinc
For cold treatment: 75-100mg zinc (lozenges, started within 24 hours of symptoms)
For zinc deficiency: 25-45mg per day
RDA (adult males): 11mg/day (all sources)
RDA (adult females): 8mg/day (all sources)
Tolerable Upper Intake Level: 40mg/day (above this, copper depletion risk increases)
Best forms: Zinc picolinate, zinc citrate, zinc gluconate (good absorption). Zinc acetate and zinc gluconate best studied for cold lozenges.
AVOID: Zinc oxide (poor absorption, used in sunscreens, not for supplementation).
Timing: Take 2+ hours away from medications (especially antibiotics). Avoid taking with phytate-rich foods (grains, legumes), dairy, or coffee.
With food or empty stomach: Zinc on an empty stomach can cause nausea. Take with a small meal (not high in phytates or calcium).

Scan a supplement containing Zinc

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Integrase inhibitors (bictegravir, dolutegravir)Severe

Reduces drug absorption

Separate by 4+ hours. Critical for HIV management.

PenicillamineSevere

Reduces drug absorption

Separate by 4+ hours. Monitor closely.

Tetracycline antibiotics (doxycycline, tetracycline)Severe

Reduces drug absorption

Separate by 4+ hours.

Quinolone antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin)Severe

Reduces drug absorption

Do not take together. Separate by 4+ hours.

TrientineSevere

Reduces drug effectiveness

Separate administration.

Protease inhibitors (HIV)Severe

May reduce drug effectiveness

Separate by 4+ hours.

Baloxavir marboxil (flu antiviral)Severe

Reduces drug absorption

Do not coadminister.

CephalexinModerate

Reduces drug absorption

Take zinc 3+ hours after cephalexin.

Calcium supplementsModerate

Reduces zinc absorption

Take at separate times.

Caffeine (black coffee)Moderate

Reduces zinc absorption

Don't take zinc with coffee.

ManganeseModerate

Increases manganese absorption

Monitor if taking both.

BisphosphonatesModerate

Reduces drug absorption

Separate by 2+ hours.

Iron supplementsMinor

Mutual absorption reduction

Take at separate times if concerned, but effect is likely minor.

SAFETY PROFILE

Side Effects

Common (at 50mg+): Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache
Long-term excess (>40mg/day): Copper deficiency, this is the primary chronic risk. Copper depletion can cause anemia, immune suppression, and neurological damage.
At 300mg/6 weeks: Documented immune suppression

Drug Interactions

△ KEY RULE: Zinc chelates many drugs in the gut. Separate zinc from medications by at least 2-4 hours.

Nutrient Depletions (Drugs That Deplete Zinc)

Thiazide diuretics, long-term use (>3 months) increases urinary zinc loss
ACE inhibitors (captopril and class), may reduce zinc levels
ARBs (angiotensin receptor blockers), may increase urinary zinc loss
Chelating agents (deferoxamine, deferasirox, EDTA), can deplete zinc to dangerous levels
Penicillamine, may decrease zinc in first 20 days of treatment

Precautions

Pregnancy: Safe at doses ≤40mg/day (adults) or ≤34mg/day (teens 15-18). Adequate zinc is important for pregnancy.
Breastfeeding: Safe at doses ≤40mg/day.
Children: Safe at age-appropriate doses. Essential for growth and development.
Autoimmune conditions: 300mg for 6 weeks suppressed immune response. Avoid high-dose zinc with autoimmune conditions.
Copper depletion: The primary chronic risk. UL of 40mg/day is set specifically to prevent copper deficiency. Long-term supplementation above 40mg/day should include copper monitoring.

Quality Concerns

Avelor found that Kirkland (Costco) Multivitamin contained 423.8% of labeled zinc, dangerously high. This is a critical Avelor red flag.

WADA Status

Not Prohibited. Not on the 2026 WADA list.

WHO SHOULD BE CAREFUL

QUALITY CONCERNS

Avelor found that Kirkland (Costco) Multivitamin contained 423.8% of labeled zinc, dangerously high. This is a critical Avelor red flag.

HOW AVELOR SCORES THIS

Present in proper dose (15-30mg elemental, bioavailable form):✅ Green flag, essential mineral, especially important for immune function

Underdosed (<5mg):⚠️ Yellow flag, below meaningful supplemental dose

Overdosed (>40mg daily without medical supervision):🔴 Red flag, copper depletion risk

Zinc oxide form:⚠️ Yellow flag, poor absorption

In a proprietary blend:⚠️ Yellow flag, dose and form matter significantly

Combined with antibiotics in same product:🔴 Red flag, chelation would reduce antibiotic effectiveness

423% of labeled amount (Kirkland finding):🔴 Red flag, quality failure, potentially dangerous

CLINICAL REFERENCES

Reference identifiers on this page are being re-verified against PubMed. Some may not yet link to the paper named beside them.

**, Science M et al. "Zinc for the treatment of the common cold: a systematic review and meta-analysis." *CMAJ*, 2012. Key finding: Zinc lozenges/syrup started within 24 hours of cold symptom onset significantly reduced cold duration by 1-2 days.

Zinc for the treatment of the common cold: a systematic review and meta-analysis.. (2012). PMID: 28515951

RELATED RESEARCH

BoronBoron influences the metabolism of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and vitamin D

Calcium AEP**The entire direct human literature on calcium AEP located in PubMed is three clinical reports from

Calcium D-GlucarateIn the rat DMBA mammary carcinogenesis model, dietary calcium D-glucarate fed after carcinogen expos

CalciumCalcium carbonate

Scan Your Zinc Supplement Browse all ingredients

Independently graded against 173,636 indexed supplements with 177 published clinical interactions, sourced from PubMed, FDA CAERS, openFDA, and NIH DSLD | Last updated: April 5, 2026

Not medical advice. Based on published clinical research and systematic reviews.

Zinc · interaction landscape

5 flagged

Dangerous

Moderate

Timing

Pre-op

Safety

Zinc: Drug Interactions

Use with caution

Moderate interactions. Monitoring, timing separation, or dose adjustment may be required.

Fluoroquinolone antibiotics
Zinc chelates the antibiotic.
RiskReduced antibiotic efficacy.
ActionTake 2+ hours before or 6+ hours after the antibiotic.
SourceFDA label
Tetracycline antibiotics
Zinc chelates the antibiotic.
RiskReduced antibiotic efficacy.
ActionSeparate by 2 to 3 hours.
SourceFDA label
Penicillamine (Wilson's disease)
Zinc reduces absorption.
RiskTreatment failure.
ActionSeparate by 2 or more hours.
SourceFDA label
Copper (chronic high-dose zinc)
Zinc over 40mg/day induces metallothionein, which sequesters copper.
RiskCopper deficiency leading to anemia and neutropenia.
ActionIf taking zinc over 40mg/day for more than 8 weeks, supplement with 2mg copper.
SourceClinical standard

Timing Separation Rules

Tetracycline / fluoroquinolone antibiotics2 to 3 hours

Educational information only. This is not medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Talk to your prescriber before starting, stopping, or combining any supplement with prescription medication.

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Ingredient Research

Graded against 173,636 supplements + 177 published clinical interactions, sourced from PubMed, FDA CAERS, openFDA, NIH DSLD

Zinc

STRONG EVIDENCEMineralLast updated April 5, 2026

AVELOR SUMMARY

EVIDENCE GRADES

Acute Respiratory Tract Infection RiskStrong

Cold Symptoms DurationModerate, 10+ studies, significant improvement

URTI SymptomsModerate, 19 studies, 2,641 participants

Depression SymptomsModerate, 4 studies, 162 participants

TestosteroneModerate, in deficient men

AcneModerate

WHAT IT DOES

Reduces cold duration and symptoms, Grade A/B evidence. Most reliable when started within 24 hours of symptom onset. Zinc lozenges or syrup, not pills.
Supports immune function, Essential for immune cell development and function. Deficiency significantly impairs immunity.
May improve depression symptoms, Grade B evidence from 4 studies. Small but consistent improvement.
Supports testosterone (in deficient men), Grade B evidence. Only meaningful if you're deficient, won't boost above normal.
May improve acne, Grade B evidence. Anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties.

OPTIMAL DOSAGE

General daily supplementation: 15-30mg elemental zinc
For cold treatment: 75-100mg zinc (lozenges, started within 24 hours of symptoms)
For zinc deficiency: 25-45mg per day
RDA (adult males): 11mg/day (all sources)
RDA (adult females): 8mg/day (all sources)
Tolerable Upper Intake Level: 40mg/day (above this, copper depletion risk increases)
Best forms: Zinc picolinate, zinc citrate, zinc gluconate (good absorption). Zinc acetate and zinc gluconate best studied for cold lozenges.
AVOID: Zinc oxide (poor absorption, used in sunscreens, not for supplementation).
Timing: Take 2+ hours away from medications (especially antibiotics). Avoid taking with phytate-rich foods (grains, legumes), dairy, or coffee.
With food or empty stomach: Zinc on an empty stomach can cause nausea. Take with a small meal (not high in phytates or calcium).

Scan a supplement containing Zinc

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Integrase inhibitors (bictegravir, dolutegravir)Severe

Reduces drug absorption

Separate by 4+ hours. Critical for HIV management.

PenicillamineSevere

Reduces drug absorption

Separate by 4+ hours. Monitor closely.

Tetracycline antibiotics (doxycycline, tetracycline)Severe

Reduces drug absorption

Separate by 4+ hours.

Quinolone antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin)Severe

Reduces drug absorption

Do not take together. Separate by 4+ hours.

TrientineSevere

Reduces drug effectiveness

Separate administration.

Protease inhibitors (HIV)Severe

May reduce drug effectiveness

Separate by 4+ hours.

Baloxavir marboxil (flu antiviral)Severe

Reduces drug absorption

Do not coadminister.

CephalexinModerate

Reduces drug absorption

Take zinc 3+ hours after cephalexin.

Calcium supplementsModerate

Reduces zinc absorption

Take at separate times.

Caffeine (black coffee)Moderate

Reduces zinc absorption

Don't take zinc with coffee.

ManganeseModerate

Increases manganese absorption

Monitor if taking both.

BisphosphonatesModerate

Reduces drug absorption

Separate by 2+ hours.

Iron supplementsMinor

Mutual absorption reduction

Take at separate times if concerned, but effect is likely minor.

SAFETY PROFILE

Side Effects

Common (at 50mg+): Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache
Long-term excess (>40mg/day): Copper deficiency, this is the primary chronic risk. Copper depletion can cause anemia, immune suppression, and neurological damage.
At 300mg/6 weeks: Documented immune suppression

Drug Interactions

△ KEY RULE: Zinc chelates many drugs in the gut. Separate zinc from medications by at least 2-4 hours.

Nutrient Depletions (Drugs That Deplete Zinc)

Thiazide diuretics, long-term use (>3 months) increases urinary zinc loss
ACE inhibitors (captopril and class), may reduce zinc levels
ARBs (angiotensin receptor blockers), may increase urinary zinc loss
Chelating agents (deferoxamine, deferasirox, EDTA), can deplete zinc to dangerous levels
Penicillamine, may decrease zinc in first 20 days of treatment

Precautions

Pregnancy: Safe at doses ≤40mg/day (adults) or ≤34mg/day (teens 15-18). Adequate zinc is important for pregnancy.
Breastfeeding: Safe at doses ≤40mg/day.
Children: Safe at age-appropriate doses. Essential for growth and development.
Autoimmune conditions: 300mg for 6 weeks suppressed immune response. Avoid high-dose zinc with autoimmune conditions.
Copper depletion: The primary chronic risk. UL of 40mg/day is set specifically to prevent copper deficiency. Long-term supplementation above 40mg/day should include copper monitoring.

Quality Concerns

Avelor found that Kirkland (Costco) Multivitamin contained 423.8% of labeled zinc, dangerously high. This is a critical Avelor red flag.

WADA Status

Not Prohibited. Not on the 2026 WADA list.

WHO SHOULD BE CAREFUL

QUALITY CONCERNS

Avelor found that Kirkland (Costco) Multivitamin contained 423.8% of labeled zinc, dangerously high. This is a critical Avelor red flag.

HOW AVELOR SCORES THIS

Present in proper dose (15-30mg elemental, bioavailable form):✅ Green flag, essential mineral, especially important for immune function

Underdosed (<5mg):⚠️ Yellow flag, below meaningful supplemental dose

Overdosed (>40mg daily without medical supervision):🔴 Red flag, copper depletion risk

Zinc oxide form:⚠️ Yellow flag, poor absorption

In a proprietary blend:⚠️ Yellow flag, dose and form matter significantly

Combined with antibiotics in same product:🔴 Red flag, chelation would reduce antibiotic effectiveness

423% of labeled amount (Kirkland finding):🔴 Red flag, quality failure, potentially dangerous

CLINICAL REFERENCES

Reference identifiers on this page are being re-verified against PubMed. Some may not yet link to the paper named beside them.

Zinc for the treatment of the common cold: a systematic review and meta-analysis.. (2012). PMID: 28515951

RELATED RESEARCH

BoronBoron influences the metabolism of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and vitamin D

Calcium AEP**The entire direct human literature on calcium AEP located in PubMed is three clinical reports from

Calcium D-GlucarateIn the rat DMBA mammary carcinogenesis model, dietary calcium D-glucarate fed after carcinogen expos

CalciumCalcium carbonate

Scan Your Zinc Supplement Browse all ingredients

Independently graded against 173,636 indexed supplements with 177 published clinical interactions, sourced from PubMed, FDA CAERS, openFDA, and NIH DSLD | Last updated: April 5, 2026

Not medical advice. Based on published clinical research and systematic reviews.

Zinc · interaction landscape

5 flagged

Dangerous

Moderate

Timing

Pre-op

Safety

Zinc: Drug Interactions

Use with caution

Moderate interactions. Monitoring, timing separation, or dose adjustment may be required.

Fluoroquinolone antibiotics
Zinc chelates the antibiotic.
RiskReduced antibiotic efficacy.
ActionTake 2+ hours before or 6+ hours after the antibiotic.
SourceFDA label
Tetracycline antibiotics
Zinc chelates the antibiotic.
RiskReduced antibiotic efficacy.
ActionSeparate by 2 to 3 hours.
SourceFDA label
Penicillamine (Wilson's disease)
Zinc reduces absorption.
RiskTreatment failure.
ActionSeparate by 2 or more hours.
SourceFDA label
Copper (chronic high-dose zinc)
Zinc over 40mg/day induces metallothionein, which sequesters copper.
RiskCopper deficiency leading to anemia and neutropenia.
ActionIf taking zinc over 40mg/day for more than 8 weeks, supplement with 2mg copper.
SourceClinical standard

Timing Separation Rules

Tetracycline / fluoroquinolone antibiotics2 to 3 hours

Discover More

Helps With

Immune Support Hair Loss Athletic Performance

Related Ingredients

Vitamin C Magnesium Vitamin D

Explore

Browse All 834 Ingredients Browse All 20 Conditions