copper
Copper is a dietary supplement.
Copper-Containing Intrauterine Device
Key facts
- Active ingredient
- Copper
- Drug class
- Copper-Containing Intrauterine Device
- Form
- Injectable
- Type
- Supplement
What is Copper?
From the FDA label:Copper (Cupric Chloride Injection, USP) 0.4 mg/mL is a sterile, nonpyrogenic solution intended for use as an additive to intravenous solutions for total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Each mL of solution contains 1.07 mg cupric chloride, dihydrate and 9 mg sodium chloride. The solution contains no bacteriostat, antimicrobial agent or added buffer. The pH is 2.0 (1.5 to 2.5); product may contain hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide for pH adjustment. The osmolarity is 0.327 mOsmol/mL (calc.). Cupric chloride, USP is chemically designated cupric chloride, dihydrate (CuCl 2 • 2H 2 O), a crystalline compound freely soluble in water. Sodium Chloride, USP is chemically designated NaCl, a white crystalline compound freely soluble in water. The semi-rigid vial is fabricated from a specially formulated polyolefin. It is a copolymer of ethylene and propylene. The safety of the plastic has been confirmed by tests in animals according to USP biological standards for plastic containers. The small amount of water vapor that can pass through the plastic container wall will not significantly alter the drug concentration.
What the evidence says
What Copper is
Commonly used for
What the evidence shows
Typical dosage
Safety
Side effects
Interactions & cautions
Sources
This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Summarized from public health authorities; general reference, not medical advice. Talk to a licensed healthcare professional before starting any supplement.
How to use
Copper (Cupric Chloride Injection) contains 0.4 mg of copper per mL and is administered intravenously only after dilution. The additive should be diluted in a volume of fluid not less than 100 mL. • For the adult receiving TPN, the suggested additive dosage of copper is 0.3 to 0.5 mg/day. • For pediatric patients, the suggested additive dosage of copper is 20 mcg/kg/day (0.05 mL/kg/day) up to a maximum of 500 mcg/day. • This product is not appropriate for patients weighing less than 4 kg due to the inability to measure the appropriate amount of the product. • Do not administer Copper (Cupric Chloride Injection) intramuscularly because the acidic pH of the solution may cause considerable tissue irritation. Copper (Cupric Chloride Injection) should only be used in conjunction with a pharmacy directed admixture program using aseptic technique in a laminar flow environment; it should be used promptly and in a single operation without any repeated penetrations. The solution contains no preservatives; discard the unused portion immediately after the admixture procedure is completed. Copper (Cupric Chloride Injection) should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration. Do not use unless the solution is clear, and the seal is intact. Cupric ion may degrade ascorbic acid in TPN solutions. In order to avoid this loss of ascorbate, multivitamin…
Side effects
None known.
Warnings
Important safety information
Hepatic Accumulation Copper is primarily eliminated in the bile and excretion is decreased in patients with cholestasis and/or cirrhosis. Hepatic accumulation of copper has been reported in autopsies of patients receiving long-term parenteral nutrition containing copper at dosages higher than recommended. Administration of copper to patients with cholestasis and/or cirrhosis may cause hepatic accumulation of copper. Administration of copper to patients with Wilson disease, an inborn error of copper metabolism with a defect in hepatocellular copper transport, may cause both increased hepatic accumulation of copper and aggravation of the underlying hepatocellular degeneration. For patients with cholestasis, biliary dysfunction, or cirrhosis, monitor hepatic and biliary function during long-term administration of Cupric Chloride Injection. If a patient develops signs or symptoms of hepatobiliary disease during the use of Cupric Chloride Injection, obtain serum concentrations of copper and ceruloplasmin, and adjust the dose as indicated (see PRECAUTIONS: Hepatic Impairment ). Hypersensitivity Reactions Postmarket safety reporting has identified copper hypersensitivity in women receiving copper-containing intrauterine devices, providing evidence that patients may experience hypersensitivity reactions when exposed to this metal. If hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., pruritis, angioedema, dyspnea, rash, urticaria) occur in patients receiving Cupric Chloride Injection in parenteral nutrition, discontinue the product, and initiate appropriate medical treatment (see CONTRAINDICATIONS ). Aluminum Toxicity This product contains aluminum that may be toxic. Aluminum may reach toxic levels with prolonged parenteral administration if kidney function is impaired. Premature neonates are particularly at risk because their kidneys are immature, and they require large amounts of calcium and phosphate solutions, which contain aluminum. Research indicates that patients with impaired kidney function, including premature neonates, who receive parenteral levels of aluminum at greater than 4 to 5 mcg/kg/day accumulate aluminum at levels associated with central nervous system and bone toxicity. Tissue loading may occur at even lower rates of administration.
Who should not take Copper
Copper (Cupric Chloride Injection) is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to copper (see WARNINGS: Hypersensitivity Reactions ).
Overdose — what happens if you take too much
Acute copper toxicity has been reported in patients with oral, intravenous, or subcutaneous administration. Clinical manifestations included metallic taste, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, neurological signs, such as encephalopathy, and multi-organ failure involving kidney, liver, blood, and cardiovascular systems, which may be fatal. Chelating agents, such as D-penicillamine, can be used for treatment of acute toxicity. Long-term administration of parenteral copper above the recommended dosage may result in significant accumulation of copper in the liver, brain, and other tissues with possible organ damage (see WARNINGS: Hepatic Accumulation ).
U.S. Poison Control: call or text 1-800-222-1222 (free, 24/7). In an emergency call 911. From the FDA label; not medical advice.
Drug class
Dosage forms
Injectable
The forms currently marketed in the U.S., per the FDA National Drug Code Directory.
Ways to save
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Frequently asked questions
- What forms does Copper come in?
- Copper is currently marketed as injectable, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.
- What class of drug is Copper?
- Copper is classified as copper-containing intrauterine device, per the FDA's Established Pharmacologic Class.
- Is Copper safe?
- There's no single safe-or-not verdict, and we don't yet have a composite recall-safety score for Copper. Review its FDA-label side effects and warnings below, and always consult a licensed professional.
- What are the side effects of Copper?
- Copper's side effects are taken directly from its FDA label. From the label: None known. Both common and serious reactions are documented in full on this page. This is general reference from the FDA, not medical advice — always consult a professional.
Clinical content sourced from the FDA label via openFDA (U.S. FDA). View the FDA label on DailyMed → Provided for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional and the current prescribing information.
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