Selenium

Generic name: Selenium
Dosage form: oral tablet (100 mcg; 200 mcg; 50 mcg)
Drug class: Minerals and electrolytes

Usage of Selenium

Selenium is mineral that is found in soil and occurs naturally in certain foods (such as whole grains, Brazil nuts, sunflower seeds, and seafood). Selenium is not produced in the body, but it is needed for proper thyroid and immune system function.

Selenium is used to treat or prevent selenium deficiency.

Selenium has been used in alternative medicine as an aid to treat Hashimoto's thyroiditis (an autoimmune disorder of the thyroid), and to treat high cholesterol.

Not all uses for selenium have been approved by the FDA. Selenium should not be used in place of medication prescribed for you by your doctor.

Selenium may also be used for purposes not listed in this product guide.

Selenium side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Long term use of high selenium doses can lead to dangerous side effects. Stop taking selenium and call your doctor at once if you have:

nausea, vomiting;

lack of energy, feeling irritable or very tired

hair loss, mild rash, brittle or painful fingernails, or white streaks on the nails;

tremors, feeling light-headed;

muscle tenderness;

flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);

metallic taste, bad breath, strong body odor; or

easy bruising or bleeding.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Selenium

You should not use this product if you are allergic to selenium.

Using selenium long-term or at high doses may increase your risk of developing diabetes or other serious medical conditions. Ask your doctor about your specific risk.

Before using selenium, talk to your healthcare provider. Your dose needs may be different if you have:

chronic kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);

underactive thyroid; or

skin cancer.

Your dose needs may be different during pregnancy or while you are nursing. Do not use this product without medical advice if you are pregnant or breast-feeding a baby.

Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without medical advice.

Relate drugs

Warnings

High doses or long-term use of selenium can lead to serious medical problems or death. Do not use more of this product than is recommended on the label.

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

What other drugs will affect Selenium

Other drugs may interact with selenium, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.