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Zinc lozenges help most patients recover earlier from the common cold

Date:
July 6, 2016
Source:
Wiley
Summary:
Zinc acetate lozenges may reduce the duration of the common cold by nearly 3 days, according to a recent analysis.
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Zinc acetate lozenges may reduce the duration of the common cold by nearly 3 days, according to a recent analysis.

Among 199 patients with the common cold who participated in three randomized placebo-controlled trials, the effect of zinc lozenges was not modified by allergy status, smoking, symptom severity, age, sex, or ethnic group.

"One study indicated that zinc lozenges might be more effective for common cold patients with allergies, but we showed that the efficacy is the same for those with and without allergies.

Common cold patients should be encouraged to try zinc acetate lozenges not exceeding 100 mg of elemental zinc per day for treating their colds," said Dr. Harri Hemila, lead author of the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology analysis.


Story Source:

Materials provided by Wiley. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Harri Hemilä, Edward J. Petrus, James T. Fitzgerald, Ananda Prasad. Zinc acetate lozenges for treating the common cold: an individual patient data meta-analysis. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 2016; DOI: 10.1111/bcp.13057

Cite This Page:

Wiley. "Zinc lozenges help most patients recover earlier from the common cold." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 6 July 2016. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/07/160706114903.htm>.
Wiley. (2016, July 6). Zinc lozenges help most patients recover earlier from the common cold. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/07/160706114903.htm
Wiley. "Zinc lozenges help most patients recover earlier from the common cold." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/07/160706114903.htm (accessed March 28, 2024).

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