Cupric Oxide vs Copper Sulfate
How cupric oxide and copper sulfate differ in elemental content, absorption, tolerance, and cost.
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Side by Side
| Cupric Oxide | Copper Sulfate | |
|---|---|---|
| Elemental content | 79.9% elemental copper | 25.5% elemental copper |
| Absorption | Low | High |
| How it is absorbed | Nearly insoluble and poorly absorbed; animal data led to the recommendation that it not be used as a copper source. | Soluble and well absorbed; more GI irritation on an empty stomach. |
| Typical dose | Avoid as a copper source | 1-2 mg elemental copper daily |
| Common uses | inexpensive multivitamins | multivitamins, treating deficiency |
| Side effects | None notable at label doses. | Nausea, vomiting at higher doses. |
| Cost | Low | Low |
| Also called | copper oxide | cupric sulfate |
| Labels in index | 3 | 9 |
When to Choose Cupric Oxide
There is no good reason to choose cupric oxide: choose any soluble form. Its high copper content by weight overstates what is absorbed.
Cupric Oxide
There is no good reason to choose cupric oxide: choose any soluble form.
What to look for: Cupric Oxide named on the Supplement Facts panel, with the amount per serving stated.
Find on iHerb Affiliate linkWhen to Choose Copper Sulfate
Choose copper sulfate when you take it with food in a multivitamin. A common copper source in multivitamins and in clinical deficiency treatment.
Copper Sulfate
Standard in multivitamins and in medical treatment of deficiency. More stomach upset when taken fasting.
What to look for: Take with a meal; check the total across all products.
Find on iHerb Affiliate linkProducts on Titrate
In Titrate's index of NIH label data, 3 labels named as copper products list cupric oxide and 9 list copper sulfate.
Copper does not have its own search category yet. Each product above links to its full label in the NIH database.
Related
References
NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Copper: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals.
Baker DH. Cupric oxide should not be used as a copper supplement for either animals or humans. J Nutr. 1999;129(12):2278-2279.
Willis MS, Monaghan SA, Miller ML, et al. Zinc-induced copper deficiency: a report of three cases initially recognized on bone marrow examination. Am J Clin Pathol. 2005;123(1):125-131.
Kumar N. Copper deficiency myelopathy (human swayback). Mayo Clin Proc. 2006;81(10):1371-1384.
Hedera P, Peltier A, Fink JK, Wilcock S, London Z, Brewer GJ. Myelopolyneuropathy and pancytopenia due to copper deficiency and high zinc levels of unknown origin II. The denture cream is a primary source of excessive zinc. Neurotoxicology. 2009;30(6):996-999.
Schilsky ML, Roberts EA, Bronstein JM, et al. A multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis and management of Wilson disease: executive summary of the 2022 Practice Guidance on Wilson disease from the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. Hepatology. 2023;77(4):1428-1455.