Excessive oral zinc supplementation.

The use of megadoses of vitamin and mineral supplements has become common. The authors describe a 17-year-old boy who presented with fatigue after taking large daily doses of zinc supplements for 6 to 7 months in an attempt to treat his acne. A zinc-induced hypocupremia developed, causing anemia, leukopenia, and neutropenia. Anemia and neutropenia resolved 6 months after he stopped taking the zinc. Excessive zinc intake can have toxic effects, and questions about patients' use of vitamin and mineral supplements should be asked when medication histories are taken.