Different types of zinc lozenges release zinc in different amounts when they dissolve in your mouth, and this affects how well they work in studies.

Different ingredients in zinc lozenges can change how well they work, even if the amount of zinc is the same, because some ingredients stick to the zinc and make it harder for your body to use it.

Different zinc lozenges let your body absorb zinc differently. Some, like zinc acetate, let you use all the zinc, while others don't let you use any at all.

Some studies show zinc gluconate supplements are absorbed better than another common form, but other studies find no real difference in zinc levels in people's blood. The results are mixed.

Zinc lozenges with certain chemical properties worked well in most tests, while others didn't work as often. This shows that how stable the zinc is might predict if it will work for you.

Zinc lozenges might help you get over a cold faster, with zinc acetate ones possibly working a bit better than zinc gluconate ones, but the difference isn't clear enough to be sure.