Zinc Pills May Shorten Colds, Analysis
MONDAY, May 7 (HealthDay News) -- Those suffering from the
common cold will try almost anything to relieve their symptoms, but
a cure has yet to be found.
A new Canadian analysis has revealed that zinc tablets may help
patients suffer a little less, but side effects are common.
"Although it is possible that oral zinc preparations impact symptoms of the common cold, there is currently insufficient evidence to recommend its use in children and only a weak rationale for use in otherwise healthy adults," said lead researcher Dr. Michelle Science, of the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. "The decision to use zinc should take into consideration the questionable benefits balanced against the potential adverse effects."
The report was published in the May 7 edition of the Canadian
For the study, Science's team looked at the findings of 17
randomized trials that included more than 2,100 patients. In these
trials, patients were given either zinc or placebo tablets to see
if there was a difference in outcome.
The researchers found that people who took zinc saw a
significant reduction in both cold symptoms and the duration of
those symptoms. Higher doses of zinc worked better than low doses,
There was evidence, although weak, that zinc relieved symptoms
after a week. There was no difference in symptoms between those
taking zinc and those taking placebo at three days, however.
Although zinc seemed to work in adults, it appeared to have no
effect on children, Science's group found.
"We found that evidence of benefit from zinc was limited to otherwise healthy adults," Science said. "But even in this group, uncertainty remained about its clinical benefits."
People taking zinc also were more likely to have side effects,
including bad taste and nausea, than those taking placebo, the
The decision to use zinc also may be affected by how the tablet
is used, Science said. Some people may not like the idea of using
zinc lozenges every two hours, she said.
Results of earlier studies were inconsistent as to whether zinc
reduced cold symptoms and duration, the researchers noted.
Dr. Robert Schwartz, chairman of family medicine at the
University of Miami School of Medicine, said that "this has been a
homeopathic remedy that's been around for a while, but there really
aren't a lot of studies that demonstrate it helps a cold. There
isn't a lot of clinical-based data to show it's effective."
Schwartz said he tries to explain to patients how viruses work,
and what will work and what won't. There are medicines to treat
fever and aches and congestion that come with a cold, but there is
no cure. Usually a cold passes within a week or so.
"But we live in a world were people want an instant cure, and people want to get better immediately," he said.
When it comes to zinc, Schwartz tells patients if they want to
try it, it's not poisonous, but there is no evidence that it will
improve a cold any faster than doing nothing.
As for the side effects, Schwartz said a bad taste in the mouth
and nausea are what usually accompanies digesting any heavy metal.
"These are typical side effects," he said.
For more on colds, visit the
U.S. National Library of Medicine.
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