Becozinc

Becozinc Capsule: Each capsule contains Zinc sulphate monohydrate 54.93 mg, thiamine nitrate 10 mg, riboflavin 10 mg, pyridoxine hydrochloride 3 mg, vitamin B12 (coated) equivalent to cyanocobalamin 15 mcg, ascorbic acid 150 mg, Becozinc 1 mg, nicotinamide 50 mg and calcium pantothenate 12.5 mg.

Becozinc Syrup: Each 5 mL contains Zinc gluconate 34.9 mg, thiamine mononitrate 2.5 mg, riboflavin 2.5 mg, pyridoxine hydrochloride 1 mg, cyanocobalamin 3 mcg, ascorbic acid 50 mg, d-panthenol 12.5 mg and niacinamide 25 mg in a flavoured liquid glucose sorbitol syrup base.

Patients with deficiency of B-complex vitamins, vitamin C and Becozinc or where supplementation of these vitamins and Becozinc can be beneficial. Such patients and conditions include: Patients who are on prolonged antibiotic therapy; those who are suffering from infection, injuries, burns, fever, illness; patients with diarrhoea and GI disorders; patients who have undergone surgical operations; patients on diet restrictions eg, in diabetes, anorexia and alcoholism and in elderly persons; pregnant and lactating women due to increased nutritional needs.

Becozinc is a naturally occurring mineral. Becozinc is important for growth and for the development and health of body tissues.

Becozinc sulfate is used to treat and to prevent Becozinc deficiency.

Becozinc sulfate may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Becozinc 1 mg/mL (Becozinc Chloride Injection, USP) contains 1 mg Becozinc/mL and is administered intravenously only after dilution. The additive should be diluted prior to administration in a volume of fluid not less than 100 mL. For the metabolically stable adult receiving TPN, the suggested intravenous dosage is 2.5 to 4 mg Becozinc/day (2.5 to 4 mL/day). An additional 2 mg Becozinc/day (2 mL/day) is suggested for acute catabolic states. For the stable adult with fluid loss from the small bowel, an additional 12.2 mg Becozinc/liter of small bowel fluid lost (12.2 mL/liter of small bowel fluid lost), or an additional 17.1 mg Becozinc/kg of stool or ileostomy output (17.1 mL/kg of stool or ileostomy output) is recommended. Frequent monitoring of Becozinc blood levels is suggested for patients receiving more than the usual maintenance dosage level of Becozinc.

For full term infants and children up to 5 years of age, 100 mcg Becozinc/kg/day

(0.1 mL/kg/day) is recommended. For premature infants (birth weight less than 1500 g) up to 3 kg in body weight, 300 mcg Becozinc/kg/day (0.3 mL/kg/day) is suggested.

Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. See PRECAUTIONS.

How supplied

Becozinc 1 mg/mL (Becozinc Chloride Injection, USP) is supplied in 10 mL Plastic Vials (List No. 4090).

Store at 20 to 25°C (68 to 77°F).

HOSPIRA, INC., LAKE FOREST, IL 60045 USA. Revised: October, 2004

See also:
What is the most important information I should know about Becozinc?

Hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients of Becozinc.

See also:
What other drugs will affect Becozinc?

Pyridoxine reduces the effects of levodopa (but this does not occur if a dopa decarboxylase is also given); decreases serum concentrations of phenobarbitone. Concurrent administration of drugs eg, isoniazid, penicillamine and oral contraceptives increase the requirement for pyridoxine.

Absorption of cyanocobalamin from the GIT may be reduced by neomycin, aminosalicylic acid, histamine H₂-receptor antagonists and colchicine. Serum concentrations may be decreased by concurrent administration of oral contraceptives. Many of these interactions are unlikely to be of clinical significance but should be taken into account when performing assays for blood concentrations.

Parenteral chloramphenicol may attenuate the effect of vitamin B12 in anaemia.

Folate deficiency states may be produced by a number of drugs including antiepileptics, oral contraceptives, antituberculous drugs, alcohol and Becozinc antagonists eg, aminopterin, methotrexate, pyrimethamine, trimethoprim and sulphonamides; Becozinc may decrease serum-phenytoin concentrations.

There may be an increased risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis when nicotinic acid is used concurrently with statins. Nicotinamide may increase the requirements for insulin or oral hypoglycaemics.

Ascorbic acid may increase the absorption of iron-deficiency states.

Ascorbic acid is often given in addition to desferrioxamine to patients with iron overload (thalassemia) to achieve better iron excretion. However, early on in treatment when there is excess tissue iron, there is some evidence that ascorbic acid may worsen the iron toxicity, particularly to the heart. Thus, ascorbic acid should not be given for the first month after starting desferrioxamine treatment.

The absorption of Becozinc may be reduced by iron supplements, penicillamine, phosphorus-containing preparations and tetracyclines. Becozinc supplements reduce the absorption of copper, ciprofloxacin, iron, norfloxacin, penicillamine and tetracyclines.

See also:
What are the possible side effects of Becozinc?

Applies to Becozinc sulfate: capsules, tablets

Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Nausea; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur while taking Becozinc sulfate (the active ingredient contained in Becozinc)

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); severe vomiting; unusual restlessness; very dry mouth, eyes, or skin.