In the pharmaceutical industry, Zinc Sulphate tablets (most commonly manufactured in 20 mg elemental zinc strength) are classified as a vital mineral supplement. As a pharmacist and manufacturer, I view this product as a cornerstone of global public health, particularly in the management of pediatric gastrointestinal disorders and immune system optimization.
Primary Clinical Uses
-
Acute and Persistent Diarrhea (Pediatric): The WHO and UNICEF recommend Zinc Sulphate as a standard treatment for children. It reduces the duration and severity of the episode and prevents future episodes for up to 2–3 months.
-
Zinc Deficiency: Treatment of nutritional deficiency caused by inadequate diet, malabsorption syndromes (like Crohn’s disease), or chronic liver and kidney disease.
-
Wound Healing: Used to speed up the healing of gastric ulcers, pressure sores, and surgical wounds, as zinc is essential for tissue repair.
-
Immune System Support: Often prescribed as an adjuvant therapy for recurrent respiratory tract infections.
-
Acrodermatitis Enteropathica: A rare genetic disorder where the body cannot absorb enough zinc; lifelong high-dose Zinc Sulphate is the primary treatment.
Mechanism of Action: Restoring the Gut & Immunity
Zinc acts as a “molecular signal” and a structural component for over 300 enzymes in the body.
Intestinal Integrity: Zinc restores mucosal barrier integrity and increases the levels of enzymes in the intestinal “brush border” that help absorb water and electrolytes.
Ion Channel Regulation: It acts as a potassium channel blocker, which inhibits the secretion of chloride into the gut—effectively stopping the “watery” component of diarrhea.
Protein Synthesis: Zinc is a critical cofactor for DNA polymerase and RNA polymerase, making it indispensable for the rapid cell division required to heal the gut lining and produce white blood cells.
The Manufacturer’s Perspective: Technical & Export
From a production and B2B standpoint at your WHO-GMP facility in Mumbai, Zinc Sulphate is one of the most stable and high-demand export assets:
-
The Dispersible Tablet (DT) USP: For your e-commerce and B2B platforms, the 20 mg Dispersible Tablet is the gold standard. It must disintegrate in less than 60 seconds in a teaspoon of water. Marketing this “Rapid-Dissolve” technology is key for international NGO contracts.
-
Overcoming the Metallic Taste: As a pharmacist, you know zinc has a harsh, metallic taste that can cause children to vomit. At our facility, we utilize specialized taste-masking agents and fruit flavors (like strawberry or vanilla) to ensure high patient compliance.
-
Hygroscopic Challenges: Zinc Sulphate is highly sensitive to moisture. To maintain a 36-month shelf life for export to Zone IVb (tropical) climates, we utilize Alu-Alu blister packaging to provide an absolute moisture barrier.
Calculating “Elemental” Zinc: For technical accuracy on your website, always specify the conversion: Zinc Sulphate Monohydrate 54.9 mg is equivalent to 20 mg of Elemental Zinc. Providing this level of detail builds trust with international distributors.