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Galzin zinc acetate v.s. OTC zinc

Stacey221
0 Recommendations

Is over the counter zinc gluconate (or something similar to that) as effective as Galzin? I was wondering what types of zinc everyone was on and how effective it has been for them.

If you have bought over the counter zinc and it has been effective for you where did you purchase it at?

** I'm currently on Trientine 250 mg 3x's a day but hoping to switch over to zinc only since I am presymptomatic the Trientine seems a bit overkill from what people are telling me. Was diagnosed just this month.

Thanks to anyone who provides feedback as it is greatly appreciated.

Stacey

Explore topics in this discussion:

Zinc acetate Wilson disease Heartburn Syprine Cuprimine Penicillamine Multiple sclerosis

28 replies

esther2k5

I have in the past taken zinc gluconate from swansonvitamins.com. It comes in capsule form which I think is better absorbed than tablets. There is also zinc picolinate which, supposedly, is better assimilated but I found the gluconate works just fine though it did occasionally upset my stomach if it was more than 5 hours since I had last eaten.
I, too, was diagnosed while asymptomatic thanks to a very alert opthalmologist who on a routine exam recognized my k-f rings. I never had a liver biopsy, just blood tests. That was over 30 years ago and I'm doing fine. I choose to take trientine instead of zinc due to the occasional gastric upset and vomiting it caused. Normally, I would rather take a natural supplement over a prescription drug but this is the exception to the rule.

cybo

Most wilson Dr. Will prescribe zinc and syprine at the same time. The zinc blocks absorption of copper and syprine take copper out. Are you seen by a wilsons specalist? But to answer your question yes I have taken zinc gluconate from GNC with no probs

Stacey221

Esther,

Since you are symptom free as well, what amount of trientine does your doctor have you on each day?

Stacey221

Cybo,

Have not been seen by a Wilson's specialist. I'm the first case my dr. has ever seen so I'm just trying to find out what treatment options worked best for everyone to make sure my dr. is on the right track =)

coppertop

17 years of heartburn and vomiting bile on galzin...2 of just heartburn on picolinate(not as effective though..contains rice fillers)...just started Gluzin (pharmaceutical grade zinc) 2 months ago...i won't know if gluzin is good for a while, but it was suggested in the wda quarterly newsletter...costs about $30 per month...best of luck to you!

-Melissa-

I'm on Galzin 50mg 3x/day. OTC zinc isn't as effective, because it isn't regulated by the FDA. I recommend getting the book "Wilson's Disease for the Patient and Family" by Dr. George Brewer. It has a lot of great information in it. Also, for presymptomatic patients, the typical route for treatment is to treat with only Galzin. What were your copper levels like? Ceruloplasmin? Did you have a liver biopsy? What was your copper level from the biopsy?

~Melissa

Stacey221

Melissa,

My liver biopsy was 767 ug/g dry wt, Eye exam - no kayser-fleischer rings, Ceruloplasmin was 4 and 24hr. urine collection was 85.

I'm trying to figure out why my dr. has me on Trientine instead of just zinc since I am presymptomatic - unless it is the liver copper levels but he didn't specifucally say that. He basically siad yep you have Wilson's and you are going to take Trientine for 1-2 years then zinc acetate.

I just finished reading Dr. Brewer's book and have complied a list of questions for my dr. I'm the first Wilson's patient he has seen and want to make sure I'm on the right track. Especially with the Trientine since most people are not on Trientine 3 times a day for that long. Dr. Brewer's book says 16 weeks and that is for symptomatic patients.

Thank you so much for your feedback... I feel like I am finally starting to learn a bit more about WD.

Have you ever had any of the stomach issues mentioned with Galzin?

esther2k5

Hi Stacy -
I take 2 to 3 250 mg capsules of trientine a day---and if I miss a dose I have doubled up as the literature I've read says it's OK to--no toxic effects from doing so. I think we are extremely fortunate to have been diagnosed while asymptomatic and to have a rare genetic condition that has a number of very effective treatments.
Esther

coppertop

DOES TRIENTINE UPSET THE STOMACH?

Stacey221

I've been on it for about 3 weeks now and not having any side affects or stomach issues. It's pretty pricey though- our insurance doesn't cover it and it runs close to $500 a month.

coppertop

ouch! re...gluzin...for later on...the wilson's disease association gave them half a page in their newsletter...i know some people get upset over alternatives...but it is up to you and your doctor to find out what is best and maintainable. $500 per month, or even $170 month for galzin is a lot...i just keep praying for a real public option...wish i could speak french ;-)

Skyemanator

Stacey, you are so lucky to have no symptoms! I, too, am the only WD patient for most, if not all, of my doctors. We're a rare bunch!

I've seen two neurologists who didn't think I have WD, they think it was multiple sclerosis all along.

(Yes, I have both.)

Dvora

Stacey,

I was diagnosed 9 years ago. Pre-symptomatic. Started on zinc once the liver biopsy concluded it was in fact WD.

Tried Galzin. Hurt my stomach, lots. Tried a picolinate, then a mix of two (can't remember which ones).

Finally settled on Nature's Plus. Has worked like a charm ever since (been years now). I rarely have stomach problems, but sometimes I find myself suddenly very hungry an hour after I've taken the pill (if on an empty stomach).

My blood tests have been coming back fine, and my doc hasn't suggested any changes.

You might want to consider having your doc, or doing it yourself--write to one of the nearer WD docs on the WDA list of docs to be sure that you're on the right track.

Also be sure to check out the WDA site for pamphlets with info too.

To my knowledge, pre-symptomatic patients usually don't need a chelator, which is what trientine is. If you can keep your copper levels under control with the zinc--and not eating liver (or organ meats), shellfish (for the 1st 6 mo after diagnosis at least), and limit large quantities of chocolate or nuts (note the word LIMIT)--it's easier on the system.

Be gentle with yourself, being newly diagnosed. And good work on doing your homework!

Cheers,
Dvora

Stacey221

Dvora,

What type of zinc is the Nature's Plus? Are you taking 3 50mg pills a day? Thanks so much for your reply =)

Stacey

Dvora

Stacey,

According to the label, it's zinc (as soy amino acid chelate).
(the other ingredients are di-calcium phosphate, microcrystalline cellulose, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, pharmaceutical glaze and sil8ica)

I take 3 50-mg a day.

I get them at a Vitamin Shoppe, but you might be able to check the manufacturer's website for other stores.
I pay about $12 US for a 180-tablet bottle; that's a 60-day supply.

If you change, be sure to tell your doc. Since you've just been diagnosed, I assume you'll be tested 4 times this year to keep track of how the med is working? If you switch to zinc, your body level for that needs to be tested as well.
(You can over de-copper; we need some copper for the body to function properly.)

Best wishes,
Dvora

Atorres

Sorry to interfere in your discussion. My daughter just started Galzin. She has been in treatment a year from now since we detected Wilson disease. She was into Penicillamine for almost 9 months and two months ago started Galzin. She has been doing well with no side effects in any of the treatments. Galzin is not available in Mexico and I read here that Zinc Gluconate from GNC could be an option, is that correct? How many doses per day are equivalent to 3 Galzin pills? The same methodology before and after meals is recommended? If this is possible why the big difference in cost Galzin is much more expensive than Zinc Gluconate?

kalapi

dear atorres
welcom to the group. I have never taken Galzine but was on Zinc Sulfate for about 12 years. I switched to Zinc gluconate last year because the sulfate started givinf me stomach pains. There is no change in my WD. It has remained stable with both the treatment.
I was in UK when I was prescribed Zinc Sulfate. There I did not pay for my medicene because of National Health Service. How ever after migrating to US I have to buy Zinc Sulfate or Gluconate over the counter as it is mearly vitamin suppliment and not a FDA approved medicine for WD. GalZine being FDA approved cost you about 10 time more than over the counter Zinc. The main thing to watch is content of the medicine. Any form of zinc you take should contain 50mg of elemntal Zinc per tab or cap and also you should see that the medicine does not contain any other things which you are not suppose to take. If you make any changes you should tell your doctorr and also keep a watch to see if there any changes in the patient. Any form of Zinc should be taken as you take Galzin as it is more effective that way. However some Zinc manufactures tell you not to take it on empty stomach. This instruction should be followed only if you are takeing it as Vitamin supplimnet and not for WD. Good luck to you.

bb3907

Galzin was very effective for me with only one major problem-- remembering to eat before taking the drug. I found the drug on the Internet by visiting a Wilson Disease website.. I took it to my doctor who had never heard of the drug at the time but he did a little research in the office and prescribed it for me.. It was far better than takin the Cuprimine that I had been on for more than a year... No side effects at all..

Atorres

Sorry to insist. The Zinc gluconate that I can buy here in Mexico is a vitamin or supplement from GNC. It for sure says that contains 50 mg of zinc per pill. Could this be equal to a single pill of Galzin? Don’t worry I’m not going to change medication without consulting her doctor. But the difference in cost is really an issue. Thank you all.

Heron

Hi Stacey and everyone,

Stacey, I'm sorry I didn't respond sooner to your direct email, but it sounds as though many of your questions have been answered. I suspect that your doctor may have you on Trientine just to cover all bases, but I'd suggest following Dvora's advice and encouraging the doc to communicate with a WD center. My understanding is that if you have no symptoms, zinc is enough. Trientine can have side effects and it's also possible for WD patients to get their copper levels reduced too far as a result of too much chelation. Not all doctors are aware of this.

In answer to your question about Galzin vs. OTC zinc, I switched from Galzin to Vitamin Cottage zinc about three months ago. I've been tested once, and all copper levels were fine. Galzin did not severely irritate my stomach, but I decided to try the OTC because I may be laid off in March and I'm not sure what kind of insurance I'll have, so the cost may become an issue. I wanted to experiment while I still had the coverage. To my surprise and delight, the OTC zinc not only works as well so far, it also does not irritate my stomach so I feel better than ever. But I will get tested again in a month to make sure.

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