Copper Sulphate (oral)
Cautions
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to the active ingredient or any of its excipients
- Wilson’s disease
- Zinc deficiency
- Premature neonates
- Biliary obstruction or biliary tract disease
Cautions
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding
- Renal impairment
- Hepatic impairment
- Elderly
- Prolonged use
Special populations
Pregnancy
- Caution
- Individualised risk-benefit assessment should be done in pregnant patients since foetal risk cannot be ruled out
Breastfeeding
- Caution
Copper excretion into human milk is unknown. There is insufficient data to determine infant risk thus, caution should be exercised
Renal Impairment
Hepatic Impairment
- Caution; no dose adjustment recommended
Copper is excreted in bile and will thus require dose adjustment in patients with liver disease
Elderly
- Caution; no dose adjustment recommended
Consider initiating at the lower end of dosage range
Porphyria Information
Adverse reactions
Gastrointestinal Disorders
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Abdominal cramps
Hepatobiliary Disorders
- Hepatic dysfunction
- Cirrhosis
- Acute liver failure
- Jaundice
Immune, Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders
- Haemolysis
Sensory Disorders
- Dysgeusia
Interactions
- Zinc
- Ascorbic acid
Mechanism of action
Copper is an essential trace element required for several body functions. It serves as a cofactor for serum ceruloplasmin, needed for the formation of the iron carrier protein, transferrin. Copper is required for the optimal functioning of several metalloenzymes including ceruloplasmin, ferroxidase II, lysyl oxidase, monoamine oxidase, zinc-copper superoxide dismutase, tyrosinase, dopamine-β-hydroxylase, and cytochrome-c oxidase. It assists with maintenance of normal rates of red and white blood cell formation.
Dosage forms
- Other
References
1. Pharmacologist: Dr Ahmed Abulfathi 1.1 Micromedex medicine solutions. 1.2 Martindale the complete drug reference, 36th edition. 1.3 www.clinicalkey-com.ez. 1.4 Masugi J, et al. Copper deficiency anemia and prolonged enteral feeding. Ann Intern Med 1994; 121: 386. 1.5 Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes, Panel on Micronutrients and the Subcommittee on Upper Reference Levels of Nutrients, Food and Nutrition Board, et al. Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium and Zinc. The National Academy of Sciences Press, Washington DC;2001:177-204. 1.6 Cupric Sulfate (copper) package insert. Shirley, NY: American Reagent, Inc; 2003 Jan. 1.7 WHO. The control of schistosomiasis: second report of the WHO expert committee. WHO Tech Rep Ser 830 1993. Available at: http://libdoc.who.int/trs/WHO_TRS_830.pdf (accessed 21/07/08). 1.8 O’Donohue J, et al. Micronodular cirrhosis and acute liver failure due to chronic copper self-intoxication. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 1993; 5: 561–2. 2. SmPC: Forceval Capsules, Alliance Pharmaceuticals: Last updated on eMC: 20 Oct 2017: Accessed online 20 September 2018 https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/3911/smpc#PRODUCTINFO 3. U2D: Intravenous copper: Drug information; Uptodate; Accessed online 20 September 2018 https://www.uptodate.com/contents/intravenous-copper-drug-information?search=copper%20sulphate&source=search_result&selectedTitle=2~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=2 4. NAPOS The Drug Database for Acute Porphyria: Copper Sulfate; Accessed online 20 September 2018 http://www.drugs-porphyria.org/languages/UnitedKingdom/s3.php?atc_code=V03AB20&l=gbr
Medical aid coverage
data not yet integrated- Comprehensive Series—
- Executive Plan—
- KeyCare Series—
- Priority Series—
- Saver Series—
Formulary scraper pending — coverage tier, co-pay and authorisation requirements will appear here once data is ingested.
- BonClassic—
- BonComprehensive—
- BonEssential—
- BonFit Select—
- BonSave—
- BonStart—
Formulary scraper pending — coverage tier, co-pay and authorisation requirements will appear here once data is ingested.
- Beryl—
- Emerald—
- Onyx—
- Ruby—
- Sapphire—
- Tanzanite One—
Formulary scraper pending — coverage tier, co-pay and authorisation requirements will appear here once data is ingested.
- Aquarium Option—
- Efficiency Option—
- Marine Option—
Formulary scraper pending — coverage tier, co-pay and authorisation requirements will appear here once data is ingested.