Some zinc lozenges can help you get over a cold faster if they're made the right way, but store-bought ones with extra ingredients might not work as well.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

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Elimination of efficacy by additives in zinc acetate lozenges for common colds.

Editorial/Opinion

2001 May 15

The study shows that good zinc lozenges work for colds, but store-bought ones with extra ingredients might not. This matches what the claim says.

Contradicting (0)

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No contradicting evidence found

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

Elimination of efficacy by additives in zinc acetate lozenges for common colds.

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DOI: 10.1086/320177

Similar Assertions

Taking zinc lozenges with a certain ingredient can shorten how long you have a cold by almost half, according to studies on people with real colds.

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Taking certain zinc lozenges (not the acetate kind) in high daily doses might shorten how long you have a cold by about one-fifth, but different brands or types seem to work differently based on studies.

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Taking zinc lozenges when you first start feeling sick with a cold might help you get better faster and feel less miserable.

1

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Zinc lozenges might help with colds, but it depends on how much zinc you take and what type of zinc it is. Taking more than 75 mg a day works, while less doesn't, and acetate zinc works better than other kinds.

39

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Taking zinc acetate lozenges when you have a cold can help you get better faster, cutting down how long you're sick by about 2 to 3 days.

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85%