Galzin

Generic name: zinc acetate
Drug class: Minerals and electrolytes

Medically reviewed by A Ras MD.

What is Galzin used for?

Galzin is a prescription medicine that is used to treat Wilson’s disease.

Description

Zinc acetate as the dihydrate is a salt of zinc used to inhibit the absorption of copper in patients with Wilson’s disease. Its structural formula is:

C4H6O4Zn•2H2O
M.W. 219.51.

Zinc acetate occurs as white crystals or granules, freely soluble in water and in boiling alcohol, and slightly soluble in alcohol.

GALZIN® (Zinc Acetate) Capsules contain the equivalent of 25 or 50 mg of zinc, in addition to corn starch and magnesium stearate in gelatin capsules. The 25 mg capsule shells contain titanium dioxide and the 50 mg capsule shells contain titanium dioxide, methylparaben and propylparaben. The 25 mg capsule shells contain FD&C Blue #1; the 50 mg capsule shells contain FD&C Red #40, D&C Red #28, and D&C Yellow #10.

Before taking Galzin, tell your doctor:

If you are allergic to Galzin; any part of this medicine; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
If you are breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed while you take Galzin.

This medicine may interact with other drugs or health problems.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take Galzin with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Galzin?

Tell all of your health care providers that you take Galzin. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
Have your urine checked as you have been told by your doctor.
Do not take more than what your doctor told you to take. Unsafe effects, including death, may happen.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using Galzin while you are pregnant.

How is Galzin best taken?

Use Galzin as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

Take on an empty stomach. Take 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.
Swallow whole. Do not chew, open, or crush.
Take with plain water only. Avoid taking with mineral water, milk, or other drinks.
Keep taking Galzin as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

What are the side effects of Galzin that I need to call my doctor about immediately?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Signs of a pancreas problem (pancreatitis) like very bad stomach pain, very bad back pain, or very bad upset stomach or throwing up.

What are some other side effects of Galzin?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

Upset stomach or throwing up.
Diarrhea.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If overdose is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Galzin?

Store at room temperature.
Protect from light.
Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

Label

PACKAGE/LABEL DISPLAY PANEL

NDC 57844-215-52
GALZIN® 25 mg (zinc acetate) capsules
Rx only
Each aqua blue capsule contains: Zinc Acetate equivalent to 25 mg zinc.
250 CAPSULES
TEVA