General Description
Synonyms: Acetic acid, zinc salt; dicarbomethoxy zinc; zinc acetas dihydricus; zinc (II) acetate; zinc diacetate; zinc ethanoate.
Description: Zinc acetate occurs as white crystalline, lustrous plates with a faint acetic odor and an astringent taste.
Chemical Name: Zinc acetate dihydrate
Zinc acetate anhydrous
Functions
Emollient; emulsion stabilizer; gelling agent; opacifier; stabilizing agent.
Uses
Zinc acetate has been used as an excipient in a variety of pharmaceutical formulations including topical gels, lotions, and solutions, and subcutaneous injections.
It has also been investigated for use in an oral controlled-release formulation for water-soluble drugs in combination with sodium alginate and xanthan gum.
Therapeutically, zinc acetate has been used in oral capsules for the treatment of Wilson’s disease.
Zinc acetate has also been demonstrated to be effective as a spermicide in vaginal contraceptives.
Incompatibilities
Zinc acetate is incompatible with oxidizing agents, zinc salts, alkalis and their carbonates, oxalates, phosphates, and sulfides.
Safety
Zinc acetate is used in topical pharmaceutical formulations and subcutaneous injections, where it is generally regarded as relatively nontoxic and nonirritant when used as an excipient. However, zinc acetate is poisonous by intravenous and intraperitoneal routes; it is also moderately toxic following oral consumption.
Handling Precautions
Observe normal precautions appropriate to the circumstances and quantity of material handled. Eye protection and gloves are recommended. When heated to decomposition, zinc acetate emits toxic fumes of zinc oxide.