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# Minerals

Inorganic nutrients used as medicines: zinc for childhood diarrhoea and fluoride to prevent tooth decay, among others.

Updated Nov 1, 2026

## What they are

Mineral supplements from the WHO Essential Medicines List that prevent or treat deficiency or disease: zinc sulfate, fluoride and iodine. Iron, calcium, potassium and magnesium have their own pages in other groups.

## Mechanism of action

Each mineral acts in its own way: zinc is a cofactor of many enzymes and supports the gut lining and immunity; fluoride hardens enamel and helps it remineralise; iodine is built into thyroid hormones.

Target: Enzyme cofactors, tooth enamel and thyroid hormone synthesis

## Key points

- WHO: zinc plus oral rehydration salts for every child with diarrhoea.
- Long-term excess zinc causes copper deficiency.
- Fluoride works mostly on the tooth surface (remineralisation); too much in early childhood causes fluorosis.

## Drugs in this class

- [**Zinc sulfate** A zinc salt that WHO recommends, with oral rehydration, for every child with diarrhoea: it shortens episodes and… Cofactor of many enzymes; supports gut lining repair and immunity](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/zinc-sulfate/)
- [**Fluoride** A mineral that hardens tooth enamel and helps repair early decay. Given in water, toothpaste and varnish; too much in… Tooth enamel (hydroxyapatite crystals)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/fluoride/)

## Others in the class

- Iodine (iodised oil, potassium iodide)

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Which mineral does WHO pair with oral rehydration salts in childhood diarrhoea?

Zinc.

## What sign shows fluoride excess in a child's teeth?

White lines or streaks on the enamel (dental fluorosis).

## Which deficiency can long-term zinc supplements cause?

Copper deficiency.

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Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: [Zinc supplementation in the management of diarrhoea](https://www.who.int/tools/elena/interventions/zinc-diarrhoea) (World Health Organization (eLENA), 2023); [Zinc in diet: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002416.htm) (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [About Fluoride | Oral Health | CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/oral-health/prevention/about-fluoride.html) (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2026).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/minerals/