Zinc Chloride

Injection · Intravenous

Prescription (Rx) Copper Absorption Inhibitor

Uses

Zinc Chloride Injection, USP, 1 mg/mL is indicated for use as a supplement to intravenous solutions given for TPN. Administration helps to maintain zinc serum levels and to prevent depletion of endogenous stores, and subsequent deficiency symptoms.

Dosage and administration

Zinc Chloride Injection, USP contains 1 mg/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 zinc/day (2.5 to 4 mL/day). An additional 2 mg zinc/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 zinc/liter of small bowel fluid lost (12.2 mL/liter of small bowel fluid lost), or an additional 17.1 mg zinc/kg of stool or ileostomy output (17.1 mL/kg of stool or ileostomy output) is recommended. Frequent monitoring of zinc blood levels is suggested for patients receiving more than the usual maintenance dosage level of zinc. For full term infants and children up to 5 years of age, 100 mcg zinc/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 zinc/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 ).

Contraindications

None known.

Warnings

Direct intramuscular or intravenous injection of Zinc Chloride Injection, USP, 1 mg/mL is contraindicated as the acidic pH of the solution (2) may cause considerable tissue irritation. Severe kidney disease may make it necessary to reduce or omit chromium and zinc doses because these elements are primarily eliminated in the urine. WARNING: This product contains aluminum that may be toxic. Aluminum may reach toxic levels with prolonged parenteral administration if kidney function is impaired. Premature neonates are particularly at risk because their kidneys are immature, and they require large amounts of calcium and phosphate solutions, which contain aluminum. Research indicates that patients with impaired kidney function, including premature neonates, who receive parenteral levels of aluminum at greater than 4 to 5 mcg/kg/day accumulate aluminum at levels associated with central nervous system and bone toxicity. Tissue loading may occur at even lower rates of administration.

Precautions

General Do not use unless the solution is clear and the seal is intact. Zinc Chloride Injection, USP, 1 mg/mL should only be used in conjunction with a pharmacy directed admixture program using aseptic technique in a laminar flow environment; it should be used promptly and in a single operation without any repeated penetrations. Solution contains no preservatives; discard unused portion immediately after admixture procedure is completed. Zinc Chloride Injection, USP should not be given undiluted by direct injection into a peripheral vein because of the likelihood of infusion phlebitis and the potential for increased excretory loss of zinc from a bolus injection. Administration of zinc in the absence of copper may cause a decrease in serum copper levels. Laboratory Tests Periodic determinations of serum copper as well as zinc are suggested as a guideline for subsequent zinc administration. Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility Long-term animal studies to evaluate the carcinogenic potential of Zinc Chloride Injection, USP, 1 mg/mL have not been performed, nor have studies been done to assess mutagenesis or impairment of fertility. Nursing Mothers It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when Zinc Chloride Injection, USP, 1 mg/mL is administered to a nursing woman. Pediatric Use See DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION section. Pregnancy Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with zinc chloride. It is also not known whether zinc chloride can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Zinc chloride should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed. Geriatric Use An evaluation of current literature revealed no clinical experience identifying differences in response between elderly and younger patients. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.

Side effects

None known.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with zinc chloride. It is also not known whether zinc chloride can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Zinc chloride should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

Pediatric use

Pediatric Use See DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION section.

Geriatric use

Geriatric Use An evaluation of current literature revealed no clinical experience identifying differences in response between elderly and younger patients. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.

Overdosage

Single intravenous doses of 1 to 2 mg zinc/kg body weight have been given to adult leukemic patients without toxic manifestations. However, acute toxicity was reported in an adult when 10 mg zinc was infused over a period of one hour on each of four consecutive days. Profuse sweating, decreased level of consciousness, blurred vision, tachycardia (140/min), and marked hypothermia (94.2° F) on the fourth day were accompanied by a serum zinc concentration of 207 mcg/dl. Symptoms abated within three hours. Hyperamylasemia may be a sign of impending zinc overdosage; patients receiving an inadvertent overdose (25 mg zinc/liter of TPN solution, equivalent to 50 to 70 mg zinc/day) developed hyperamylasemia (557 to 1850 Klein units; normal: 130 to 310). Death resulted from an overdosage in which 1683 mg zinc was delivered intravenously over the course of 60 hours to a 72-year-old patient. Symptoms of zinc toxicity included hypotension (80/40 mm Hg), pulmonary edema, diarrhea, vomiting, jaundice, and oliguria, with a serum zinc level of 4184 mcg/dl. Calcium supplements may confer a protective effect against zinc toxicity.

Description

Zinc Chloride Injection, USP, 1 mg/mL is a sterile, nonpyrogenic solution intended for use as an additive to intravenous solutions for total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Each mL of solution contains 2.09 mg zinc chloride and 9 mg sodium chloride. The solution contains no bacteriostat, antimicrobial agent or added buffer. The pH is 2.0 (1.5 to 2.5); product may contain hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide for pH adjustment. The osmolarity is 0.354 mOsmoL/mL (calc.). Zinc Chloride, USP is chemically designated ZnCl 2 , a white crystalline compound freely soluble in water. Sodium Chloride, USP is chemically designated NaCl, a white crystalline compound freely soluble in water. The semi-rigid vial is fabricated from a specially formulated polyolefin. It is a copolymer of ethylene and propylene. The safety of the plastic has been confirmed by tests in animals according to USP biological standards for plastic containers. The small amount of water vapor that can pass through the plastic container wall will not significantly alter the drug concentration.

How supplied

Zinc Chloride Injection, USP, 1 mg/mL is supplied in 10 mL plastic vials. NDC Number Strength Packaged NDC 51754-0102-1 10 mg/10 mL (1 mg/mL) 10 mL vial NDC 51754-0102-4 10 mg/10 mL (1 mg/mL) 25 vials per carton Store at 20 to 25°C (6 8 to 77°F). [See USP Controlled Room Temperature.] Manufactured and Distributed by: 1245 Blowing Rock Blvd Lenoir, NC 28645 Revised 08/2026 exela logo

Label text from the FDA structured product label by Exela Pharma Sciences,LLC (revised Aug 3, 2026). Long sections are shortened; the complete label is on DailyMed.

Active ingredients

Zinc Chloride NDC products (2)

NDCStrength & formLabelerType
51754-0102Zinc Chloride 1 mg/mL
Injection
Exela Pharma Sciences,LLCANDA
70069-526Zinc Chloride 1 mg/mL
Injection
Somerset Therapeutics, LLCANDA

Frequently asked questions

What is Zinc Chloride used for?

Zinc Chloride Injection, USP, 1 mg/mL is indicated for use as a supplement to intravenous solutions given for TPN. Administration helps to maintain zinc serum levels and to prevent depletion of endogenous stores, and subsequent deficiency symptoms.

What are the side effects of Zinc Chloride?

None known. See the full label for the complete list.

Who makes Zinc Chloride?

Zinc Chloride is listed by 2 labelers in the FDA NDC directory, including Exela Pharma Sciences,LLC, Somerset Therapeutics, LLC.