Copper is a mineral. It is found in many foods, particularly in organ meats, seafood, nuts, seeds, wheat bran cereals, grain products, and cocoa products. The body stores copper mostly in the bones and muscles. The liver regulates the amount of copper that is in the blood. Copper is used as medicine.
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Uses
- Copper is used for treating copper deficiency and the anemia it may cause. Having too little copper (copper deficiency) is rare. It sometimes occurs in people who get too much zinc from diet or supplements, have intestinal bypass surgery, or are fed by feeding tubes. Malnourished infants can also have copper deficiency.
- Copper is also used for improving wound healing, and treating osteoarthritis and brittle bones (osteoporosis).
- Osteoporosis: Taking copper in combination with zinc, manganese, and calcium might slow bone loss in older women.
Benefits
- Copper is necessary for producing and storing iron.
Side Effects
- Copper is likely safe when taken by mouth in amounts no greater than 10 mg daily.
- Copper is possibly unsafe when taken by mouth in large amounts. Adults should consume no more than 10 mg of copper per day. Kidney failure and death can occur with as little as 1 gram of copper sulfate. Symptoms of copper overdose include nausea, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, fever, stomach pain, low blood pressure, anemia, and heart problems.
Cautions
- Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Copper is likely safe when taken by mouth appropriately. Pregnant or breast-feeding women should consume no more than 8 mg dailyper day if they are 14 to 18 years old, and no more than 10 mg dailyper day if they are 19 or older. Taking copper by mouth in higher doses is possibly unsafe. Higher amounts can be dangerous.
- Children: Copper is LIKELY SAFE when taken by mouth appropriately. Children should not get more than the Tolerable Upper Limit (UL) of copper. The UL is 1 mg daily for children 1 to 3 years, 3 mg daily for children 4 to 8 years, 5 mg daily for children 9 to 13 years, and 8 mg daily for adolescents. Taking copper by mouth in higher doses is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. Higher intake can cause liver damage and other harm.
- Hemodialysis: People receiving hemodialysis for kidney disease seem to be at risk for copper deficiency. You might need copper supplements if you are undergoing hemodialysis. Check with your healthcare provider.
- Certain hereditary conditions, including idiopathic copper toxicosis and childhood cirrhosis: Taking extra copper might make these conditions worse.
- Wilson’s disease: Taking copper supplements can make this condition worse and might interfere with treatment.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction – Be cautious with this combination:
- Penicillamine (Cuprimine, Depen) interacts with Copper. Penicillamine is used for Wilson’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Copper might decrease how much penicillamine your body absorbs and decrease the effectiveness of penicillamine.
Other names
Atomic number 29, Citrate de Cuivre, Cobre, Copper Citrate, Copper Gluconate, Copper Sulfate, Cu, Cuivre, Cuivre Élémentaire, Cupric Oxide, Cupric Sulfate, Cupric Sulfate Pentahydrate, Cuprum Aceticum, Cuprum Metallicum, Elemental Copper, Gluconate de Cuivre, Numéro Atomique 29, Oxyde Cuivrique, Pentahydrate de Sulfate de Cuivre, Sulfate de Cuivre, Sulfate Cuivrique, Sulfate Cuprique
References
Source: WebMD, “Copper”, www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/