When people take zinc lozenges soon after getting a cold, they usually don't have bad side effects and don't quit the treatment early in studies.

Evidence from Studies

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Zinc acetate lozenges for treating the common cold: an individual patient data meta-analysis.

Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis

Human

2016 Nov

Gold Standard Evidence Needed

According to GRADE and EBM methodology, here is what ideal scientific evidence would look like to definitively prove or disprove this specific claim, ordered from strongest to weakest evidence.

Source Study

Zinc acetate lozenges for treating the common cold: an individual patient data meta-analysis.

Score: 39

DOI: 10.1111/bcp.13057

Similar Assertions

Taking zinc acetate lozenges for colds, at doses up to about 90 mg per day, didn't cause any major side effects in studies with nearly 200 people.

93%

Zinc lozenges need more than 75 mg of zinc per day to help fight colds. If you take less zinc or use lozenges with certain ingredients like citric acid, they might not work as well.

90%

Taking zinc lozenges when you first feel a cold coming on doesn't really help you get better faster, according to a study on adults who get colds regularly.

90%

Taking high-dose zinc lozenges for a cold for up to two weeks is generally safe and well-tolerated, with few side effects, according to studies with nearly 200 people.

89%

Taking small amounts of zinc lozenges doesn't really help shorten a cold, but taking larger amounts might actually make you feel better faster.

89%