zinc sulfate
Brand names: Zinc, Orazinc
Zinc sulfate is a mineral supplement. It can help with minor eye irritation.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Generic Price
$0.02/unit
Generic Available
Yes (8 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
This medicine can help with eye discomfort and redness.
Common side effects
No common side effects listed.
Key warnings
There are no boxed warnings for this medication.
How It Works
Zinc sulfate works as a mild astringent. This means it can help to relieve minor eye irritation.
How to Take It
Put 1 or 2 drops in the affected eye. Do this up to four times each day. Follow the directions on the package or from your doctor.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
It is not known if zinc sulfate can harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
Storage
Store at room temperature, away from heat and light.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 1,497 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 2,699 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2004–2025.
Total Reports
2,699
Death-Related Reports
383
Hospitalization Reports
1,216
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DIARRHOEA | 215 |
| 2 | FATIGUE | 172 |
| 3 | NAUSEA | 166 |
| 4 | DEATH | 153 |
| 5 | OFF LABEL USE | 147 |
| 6 | PAIN | 146 |
| 7 | DYSPNOEA | 136 |
| 8 | VOMITING | 136 |
| 9 | PYREXIA | 127 |
| 10 | HEADACHE | 99 |
| 11 | ASTHENIA | 98 |
| 12 | ANAEMIA | 95 |
| 13 | PNEUMONIA | 93 |
| 14 | BACK PAIN | 90 |
| 15 | FALL | 89 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
There are no boxed warnings for this medication.
Known Drug Interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Avoid coadministration of XOFLUZA with dairy products, calcium-fortified beverages, polyvalent cation-containing laxatives, antacids, or oral supplements (e.g., calcium, iron, magnesium, selenium, or zinc). Avoid coadministration of XOFLUZA with dairy products, calcium-fortified beverages, polyvalent cation-containing laxatives, antacids, or oral supplements (e.g., calcium, iron, magnesium, selenium, or zinc).
Mechanism: Zinc can bind to this medicine in your stomach and prevent it from being absorbed into your body. This makes the medicine less effective at treating the flu.
What to do: Do not take this medicine at the same time as supplements containing zinc. Avoid these products during your treatment.
Oral administration of BAXDELA with antacids containing aluminum or magnesium, with sucralfate, with metal cations such as iron, or with multivitamins containing iron or zinc, or with formulations containing divalent and trivalent cations such as didanosine buffered tablets for oral suspension or the pediatric powder for oral solution, may substantially interfere with the absorption of BAXDELA, resulting in systemic concentrations considerably lower than desired.
Mechanism: Zinc binds to the antibiotic in your stomach, which stops the body from absorbing it properly. This can make the antibiotic much less effective at fighting your infection.
What to do: Do not take these two medications at the same time. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you create a schedule to space them out safely.
Monitor prothrombin time, INR and watch for bleeding (7.2) Antidiabetic agents Carefully monitor blood glucose (5.13, 7.3) 7.1 Chelation Agents: Antacids, Sucralfate, Metal Cations, Multivitamins While the chelation by divalent cations is less marked than with other fluoroquinolones, concurrent administration of levofloxacin tablets with antacids containing magnesium, or aluminum, as well as sucralfate, metal cations such as iron, and multivitamin preparations with zinc may interfere with the gastrointestinal absorption of levofloxacin, resulting in systemic levels considerably lower than d...
Mechanism: Zinc binds to the antibiotic in your digestive system, which stops the medicine from entering your blood. This can make the treatment less effective at fighting your infection.
What to do: Avoid taking zinc supplements at the same time as your antibiotic. Ask your healthcare provider for a schedule to take these medicines several hours apart.
Oral administration of moxifloxacin hydrochloride with antacids containing aluminum or magnesium, with sucralfate, with metal cations such as iron, or with multivitamins containing iron or zinc, or with formulations containing divalent and trivalent cations such as didanosine buffered tablets for oral suspension or the pediatric powder for oral solution, may substantially interfere with the absorption of moxifloxacin hydrochloride, resulting in systemic concentrations considerably lower than desired.
Mechanism: Zinc binds to the antibiotic in your digestive tract, preventing the drug from reaching the rest of your body to treat infection.
What to do: Avoid taking zinc supplements at the same time as this antibiotic to ensure you get the full dose.
Absorption of tetracyclines is impaired by antacids containing aluminum, calcium or magnesium and preparations containing iron, zinc, or sodium bicarbonate.
Mechanism: Zinc can bind to the antibiotic in your stomach and prevent it from being soaked up by your body. This makes the antibiotic less effective at fighting infections.
What to do: Do not take these two products at the same time. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you how many hours to wait between doses.
Common Questions
What is zinc sulfate used for?
How often can I use this?
Can I use this with contact lenses?
What should I do if my symptoms don't improve?
Can I use this if I am pregnant?
How should I store this medicine?
Can I use this for other eye problems?
Can I use this with other eye drops?
What should I do if I accidentally swallow this?
Is this safe for children?
Does zinc sulfate interact with other medications?
What drug class is zinc sulfate?
Is zinc sulfate safe during pregnancy?
Has zinc sulfate been recalled?
Active Recalls
cGMP deviations
Blossom Pharmaceuticals
cGMP deviations
Blossom Pharmaceuticals
CGMP Deviations
CA BOTANA International, Inc.
CGMP Deviations
CA BOTANA International, Inc.
CGMP Deviations
CA BOTANA International, Inc.
CGMP Deviations
CA BOTANA International, Inc.
CGMP Deviation; manufactured at the same facility where other products and lots were found to be contaminated.
DermaRite Industries, LLC
cGMP deviations
KABANA SKIN CARE
cGMP deviations
KABANA SKIN CARE
Chemical Contamination
Johnson, S C and Son, Inc
CGMP Deviations
SYNCHRONICITY SPA INC, DBA SUNTE
Microbial Contamination of Non-Sterile Products: Presence of Aspergillus Sydowii (Mold)
SYNCHRONICITY SPA INC, DBA SUNTE
Subpotent Drug: Product does not contain SPF that is declared on the label.
HUMANRACE
Subpotent Drug: Product does not contain SPF that is declared on the label.
HUMANRACE
CGMP Deviations: Firm went out of business and could no longer continue stability studies.
Akorn, Inc.
Related Medications in Mineral Supplement
Other drugs grouped near zinc sulfate — same-class peers and common alternatives.
ascorbic acid
Vitamin C
This medicine is a Vitamin C supplement.
Compare with zinc sulfate →
biotin
Vitamin B7
Dialyvite with Zinc is a prescription vitamin supplement.
Compare with zinc sulfate →
calcitriol
Rocaltrol
Calcitriol is a form of vitamin D that helps your body absorb and use calcium.
Compare with zinc sulfate →
calcium carbonate
Tums, Caltrate
Calcium carbonate is a medicine that can relieve heartburn and upset stomach.
Compare with zinc sulfate →
cholecalciferol
Vitamin D3
PNV-DHA is a multivitamin with minerals and essential fatty acids.
Compare with zinc sulfate →
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What the FDA Data Shows for zinc sulfate
The FDA label for zinc sulfate (sold under brand names such as Zinc, Orazinc) classifies it as an over-the-counter product in the Mineral Supplement class. This medicine can help with eye discomfort and redness. Labeling covers dosing, contraindications, and monitoring requirements derived from clinical trials.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 1,497 voluntary reports. The database also lists 5 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated moderate severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.02.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history (currently 15 recall records on file), and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: December 30, 2025
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages