Copper Supplement

Copper is essential for the maintenance and proper functioning of our organs and metabolic processes, especially in producing and storing iron. It also plays a role in nerve function, bone growth, and sugar utilization.

Copper deficiency can cause anemia and osteoporosis. It is a mineral usually found in food such as organ meats, seafood, wheat bran cereals, nuts, seeds, cocoa products, and grain products.

Copper supplements are used when this mineral is low or there is an increased need for it like in the cases of burns, diarrhea, kidney disease, intestine disease, pancreas disease, and stomach removal.

Supplementation can be in oral or parental form. For injectable copper, drug administration must be done by a healthcare professional.

When taking oral copper supplements without prescription, read the label carefully and follow the instructions. Copper toxicity can be dangerous. So before using copper supplements, consider the pros and cons.

Take note of the following factors as well.

• Inform your physician if you have any allergies to food, preservatives, drugs, and/or animals.
• Although copper is important for fetal growth and development during pregnancy, it must be taken according to your doctor’s instruction in order to avoid overdose. The same goes if you are breastfeeding.
• Discuss with your doctor what medications may have adverse interactions with copper, as well as food that may decrease or increase its effects.
• Inform your physician if you have biliary, liver, and/or Wilson’s disease. Using copper with these medical conditions may increase the risk of toxicity.

Copper supplements should be taken according to your doctor’s orders or the recommended daily allowance. This may differ from person to person, so it is important to talk to a healthcare professional before using this medication.

For oral copper supplementation, teenage and adult males are recommended to take 1.5 to 2.5 mg/day. Teenage and adult women, on the other hand, have to take 1.5 mg to 3 mg/day. For children, 7 to 10 years old are given 1 to 2 mg/day; 4 to 6 years old, 1 to 1.5 mg/day; and below 3 years old, 0.4 to 1 mg/day.

Dosage may also be adjusted depending on the severity of the condition. Parenteral copper supplements are to be administered by healthcare professionals.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, you should not double dose. Store your supplements in a sealed container at room temperature and away from children’s reach. Discard expired supplements.

Copper and zinc supplements must not be taken at the same time.

If you need to ingest zinc supplements, take it 2 hours before your copper supplements. This ensures that you get the most benefit out of both supplements.

Also, use copper supplements cautiously when taking penicillamine (Cuprimine, Depen) since this particular drug can interact with copper. Penicillamine is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and Wilson’s disease. Using copper supplements can decrease its effectiveness.

The side effects that manifest may not be the same for everyone. However, you should be vigilant of overdose signs and symptoms.

Seek medical attention immediately if you or someone you know has any of the following:
severe or continuing nausea, black or bloody vomit, hematuria, diarrhea, coma, dizziness or fainting, heartburn, headache (severe or continuing), loss of appetite, metallic taste, lower back pain, pain or burning while urinating, and yellow eyes or skin.

If you experience signs and symptoms that are not listed above, call your physician immediately.