Effective Treatment of Wilson's Disease With Oral Zinc
TU Hoogenraad - Archives of Neurology, 1982 - jamanetwork.com
To the Editor.—With reference to the article by Longe et al on Wilson's disease in a Nigerian
(Archives1982; 39: 129-130), I would like to comment on their statement that penicillamine is
not available in Benin City, Nigeria. For three years we have been treating Wilson's disease
with oral zinc as a low-toxic alternative to penicillamine. 1, 2 Zinc has the property of
blocking the copper absorption at the level of the gut. 3 We found that during prolonged
administration of zinc sulfate (ZnSO 4 7H 2 O), at a dosage of 200 mg three times a day, 30 …
(Archives1982; 39: 129-130), I would like to comment on their statement that penicillamine is
not available in Benin City, Nigeria. For three years we have been treating Wilson's disease
with oral zinc as a low-toxic alternative to penicillamine. 1, 2 Zinc has the property of
blocking the copper absorption at the level of the gut. 3 We found that during prolonged
administration of zinc sulfate (ZnSO 4 7H 2 O), at a dosage of 200 mg three times a day, 30 …