Selenium Supplements (Systemic)

Proper Use of This Dietary Supplement

Dosing - The amount of selenium needed to meet normal daily recommended intakes will be different for different patients. The following information includes only the average amounts of selenium.

• For oral dosage form (tablets):
  • To prevent deficiency, the amount taken by mouth is based on normal daily recommended intakes:
    • Adult and teenage males - 40 to 70 micrograms (mcg) per day.
    • Adult and teenage females - 45 to 55 mcg per day.
    • Pregnant females - 65 mcg per day.
    • Breast-feeding females - 75 mcg per day.
    • Children 7 to 10 years of age - 30 mcg per day.
    • Children 4 to 6 years of age - 20 mcg per day.
    • Children birth to 3 years of age - 10 to 20 mcg per day.
  • To treat deficiency:
    • Adults, teenagers, and children - Treatment dose is determined by prescriber for each individual based on severity of deficiency.

Missed dose - If you miss taking selenium supplements for one or more days there is no cause for concern, since it takes some time for your body to become seriously low in selenium. However, if your health care professional has recommended that you take selenium, try to remember to take it as directed every day.

Storage - To store this dietary supplement:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the dietary supplement to break down.
• Keep the dietary supplement from freezing. Do not refrigerate.
• Do not keep outdated dietary supplement or those no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded dietary supplement is out of the reach of children.