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Galzin (Zinc Acetate Capsules)
Manufactured by: Gate Pharmaceuticals  This product requires a valid prescription
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Galzin (Zinc Acetate) has been approved for the treatment of Wilson's disease. Wilson’s disease is a potentially fatal inherited abnormality, occurring in one of 30,000 people, that causes excess copper to accumulate in the body, affecting the liver and the brain. Galzin (Zinc Acetate) works by blocking absorption of copper from the intestine.
Patients become ill as teenagers or as young adults with liver disease, often with neurologic symptoms.
Wilson's disease causes the body to take in and keep too much copper. The copper deposits in the liver, brain, kidneys, and the eyes. The deposits of copper cause tissue damage, death of the tissues, and scarring, which causes the affected organs to stop working correctly. Liver failure and damage to the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord) are the most predominant, and the most dangerous, effects of the disorder. If not caught and treated early, Wilson's disease is fatal.
It is most common in eastern Europeans, Sicilians, and southern Italians, but may occur in any group. The disorder most commonly appears in people under 40 years old. In children, the symptoms begin to show by around 4 years of age.
Symptoms
Enlargement of the abdomen (abdominal distention)
Splenomegaly
Yellow skin (jaundice) or yellow color of the white of the eye (icterus)
Vomiting blood
Weakness
Tremors of the arms or hands
Difficulty moving arms and legs, stiffness
Abnormal arms and legs posture
Slow movements
Difficulty walking
Unpredictable and jerky movement
Uncontrollable movement
Weakness of the head, neck, face, or arms
Speech impairment
Slow or decreased facial movement and expressions
Emotional or behavioral changes
Confusion or delirium
Dementia (loss of many brain functions)
The goals of treatment are to reduce the amount of copper in the tissues and to manage the symptoms of the disorder. Treatment must be lifelong.
The following medications may be used:
Zinc acetate (Galzin), which blocks the absorption (taking in) of copper in the intestinal tract.
Trientine (Syprine), which binds (chelates) the copper and leads to increased release of the copper through the urine.
Penicillamine (Cuprimine, Depen), which also binds copper and leads to increased urinary release of copper.
In addition, a low-copper diet may be recommended, including avoiding mushrooms, nuts, chocolate, dried fruit, liver, and shellfish. Distilled water may be suggested because most tap water flows through copper pipes. Patients are advised to avoid using copper cooking utensils.
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