Trace element Pregnancy: No data from use in pregnant women; limited animal data show evidence of reproductive toxicity only at maternally toxic doses. No adverse effect on the pregnancy or unborn child is expected provided it is used in proven selenium deficiency. Selenium is excreted in human milk but no effects on breastfed newborns/infants are anticipated at therapeutic doses, and it can be used during breast-feeding.

Selenium

Selenium is an essential trace element provided as a nutritional supplement, including within parenteral nutrition, to prevent or correct deficiency.

Auto-extracted from the source labelling — not yet independently clinician-verified. These values were distilled from the UK SPC (or the US label where noted) but have not had a clinician sign-off. Confirm against the current SmPC before prescribing.

Adult dose

Dose: Supplementation to total parenteral nutrition: 60 to 100 micrograms daily. Other situations with proven selenium deficiency: 100 micrograms, up to a maximum of 400 micrograms daily, short-term until normalisation of laboratory monitoring values

Route: Intravenous — must be administered after dilution in a solution for parenteral nutrition (after stability has been validated) or in an isotonic solution (such as sodium chloride 0.9% or glucose 5%), with a slow infusion rate; the product must not be injected undiluted

Frequency: Once daily

Max: 400 micrograms daily (short-term, in proven selenium deficiency)

eMC SPC for SELENIUM 10 micrograms/ml concentrate for solution for infusion (1 ml contains 10 micrograms of selenium). The dose must be adapted individually according to the degree of selenium deficiency and selenium status. For monitoring of therapy the selenium concentration in whole blood or serum should be determined; in long-term parenteral nutrition, blood levels should be checked at 6 to 12 month intervals except if clinical symptoms of deficiency are suspected. Plasma selenium concentrations of 80 to 120 micrograms/L (whole blood 100 to 140 micrograms/l) have been proposed as adequate in adults; at levels above normal the dose should be reduced. In complex parenteral nutrition, caution is required when mixing medicines to avoid incompatibilities. Contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per 10 ml vial (essentially sodium-free). The US label returned in the source bundle was an unrelated homeopathic hair-loss pellet product and was NOT used.

Paediatric dose

Dose: 2 micrograms/kg

Route: Intravenous, after dilution in a solution for parenteral nutrition or an isotonic solution, given at a slow infusion rate

Frequency: Daily

Max: Children: up to a maximum of 30 micrograms daily

Supplementation to total parenteral nutrition. Infants: 2 micrograms/kg/day; infants with low birth weight: 2 to 3 micrograms/kg/day. Children: 2 micrograms/kg/day, up to a maximum of 30 micrograms daily. Adolescents: no data are available. Other situations with proven selenium deficiency in the paediatric population: no data are available. Age-specific reference values for normal selenium concentrations apply for monitoring of therapy. Clinician to verify against a children's formulary.

Dose auto-extracted from UK Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) via the eMC; US FDA prescribing information (openFDA / DailyMed) — cross-check; US labelling may differ from UK — not yet clinician-verified. Always confirm against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Paediatric weight-based calculator

Patient weight (kg)

Verify in a children's formulary

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to selenium-containing products

Side effects

No adverse effects are observed in normal conditions of use (§4.8)

Interactions

No interaction studies have been performed (§4.5)

Clinical monograph

How it works

It is incorporated into selenoproteins such as glutathione peroxidases that contribute to antioxidant defence and other metabolic functions.

Prescribing in practice

Selenium has a narrow margin between adequacy and toxicity; excessive intake causes selenosis with features such as hair and nail changes, gastrointestinal upset and neurological effects.
Supplementation is indicated mainly to prevent or treat deficiency, including in long-term parenteral nutrition rather than for unselected populations.
Doses should reflect deficiency status and other sources of intake; refer to current prescribing references.

Monitoring

Selenium status may be assessed where deficiency or excess is suspected, particularly during long-term parenteral nutrition.

Counselling the patient

Take only the dose recommended, as too much selenium can be harmful.
Avoid combining several supplements that all contain selenium.
Report symptoms such as hair loss, brittle nails or a garlic-like breath odour.

Evidence & guidelines

The role of selenium as an essential trace element and the consequences of deficiency are well established in nutritional science.

Reference: BAPEN; NICE NG32; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. The structured dose values shown have been reviewed by a clinician. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Pathways