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.

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Pro

74

Against

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (0)

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No supporting evidence found

Contradicting (1)

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Community contributions welcome

74

Zinc acetate lozenges for the treatment of the common cold: a randomised controlled trial

Randomized Controlled Trial

Human

2020 Jan 23

This study tested the exact same zinc lozenges described in the claim and found they didn't help people recover faster from colds, which matches what the claim says.

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 the treatment of the common cold: a randomised controlled trial

Score: 74

DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-031662

Similar Assertions

Taking zinc acetate lozenges soon after cold symptoms start can help otherwise healthy adults recover from a cold about three times faster than if they didn't take them.

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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.

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90%

Taking high-dose zinc lozenges right when you start feeling a cold can shorten how long you're sick by almost half, according to studies in adults.

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89%

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.

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88%

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.

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