Zinc Acetate Lozenges for Common Cold Duration

100 participants

Sore throat, stuffy nose, sneezing, coughing, and feeling run down. The typical cold.

Zinc may stop cold viruses from spreading in your throat and nose.

Zinc acetate lozenges (13.3mg elemental zinc) dissolved in mouth every 2-3 hours while awake, totaling 75-92mg zinc daily

Duration: Until symptom resolution (typically 4-5 days)

Before Treatment

Cold symptoms that usually last about a week - congestion, sore throat, cough.

After Treatment

Cold lasted only 4-5 days instead of 7-8 days. Less coughing and congestion.

Must be started within 24-48 hours of symptom onset. Benefits emerge by day 3-4.

Bad taste in mouth, some people felt nauseous. Side effects were mild.

Zinc Acetate Lozenges for Common Cold Duration
Mossad SB, et al. Ann Intern Med. 1996;125(2):81-88

Zinc lozenges can cut your cold short by about 3 days if you start them right away.

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More trials for Common Cold coming soon.