The Role of Zinc Lozenges in Treatment of the Common Cold

Abstract

Treatment of the common cold with zinc gluconate lozenges, using adequate doses of elemental zinc, may be effective in reducing duration and severity of cold symptoms. The benefit appears to be maximal if the lozenges are started immediately after the onset of symptoms. The formulation of the lozenges also appears to be important because the addition of citric acid or tartaric acid may reduce efficacy due to chelation of zinc ion. Although zinc gluconate lozenges have dominated clinical trials thus far, further studies are needed to demonstrate the efficacy of zinc acetate lozenges and to determine whether their adverse effect profile is more favorable to that of zinc gluconate lozenges. Patients should play an important role in the decision-making process and must decide whether the benefit gained from treatment with zinc lozenges outweighs the potential adverse effects.

Global Impact of Influenza Virus on Cellular Pathways Is Mediated by both Replication-Dependent and -Independent Events

“…It will be extremely interesting to examine the outcome of influenza virus infection in cell lines by inducing metallothionein gene expression (by treatment with Zn or IL-6) before or after infection or in metallothionein knockout mice (44). With regard to the former, the clinical administration of Zn at the onset of illness has been shown to reduce the severity and longevity of coldlike symptoms (18,40) and has been shown to reduce herpes simplex virus infectivity in vitro (33). Nearly all of the genes regulated independently of viral replication were downregulated (82 of 97), most of them exclusively at the 4-h time point (74 of 82).…”

Oxidative Stress and Dietary Interventions in Autism: Exploring the Role of Zinc, Antioxidant Enzymes and Other Micronutrients in the Neurobiology of Autism

“…Zinc deficiency has also been shown to associate with a behavioural syndrome characterized by reduced activity levels and slower response times [27]. Zinc is an important nutrient for the immune system, and supplementation with this mineral has been shown to reduce the duration of the common cold by suppressing the viral inflammation in the respiratory tract [28][29][30]. Zinc deficiency can result in a weakened intestinal immune system, which makes the digestive tract more prone to infection with certain parasites [31].…”

Cough Suppressant and Pharmacologic Protussive Therapy

“…Various explanations for the divergent results of these studies have been proposed including widely variant dosages, inadequate blinding, and bioavailability issues. 70 Furthermore, zinc therapy can be associated with a significant side-effect profile, in particular bad taste and nausea. 70 Of these two preparations, only zinc acetate is approved for use in the United States.…”

“…70 Furthermore, zinc therapy can be associated with a significant side-effect profile, in particular bad taste and nausea. 70 Of these two preparations, only zinc acetate is approved for use in the United States.…”