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Zinc for the common cold.

I Marshall1

  • 1National Center of Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia, 0200. marshali@health.qld.gov.au

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|May 5, 2000
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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Zinc lozenges show inconclusive effects on common cold duration and severity. Further research is needed to confirm benefits and assess potential side effects of zinc for cold symptoms.

Area of Science:

  • Clinical Medicine
  • Pharmacology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Growing interest in zinc as a common cold treatment.
  • Several controlled trials have been published on zinc's efficacy.
  • Need for a systematic review to assess zinc lozenges for cold symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effects of zinc lozenges on common cold symptoms.
  • To synthesize evidence from randomized controlled trials.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic search of Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, MEDLINE, and EMBASE up to 1997.
  • Inclusion of randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trials of zinc for acute upper respiratory tract infections.
  • Independent data extraction and quality assessment by two reviewers.

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Main Results:

  • Seven trials involving 754 participants were included; most had medium to high methodological quality.
  • Heterogeneity in outcome measures limited the ability to pool results.
  • Two trials suggested reduced symptom severity and duration, but with potential bias; overall, zinc did not significantly reduce cold duration.

Conclusions:

  • Evidence regarding the effectiveness of zinc lozenges for the common cold is inconclusive.
  • Potential for side effects necessitates further investigation.
  • Additional research is required to substantiate any therapeutic benefits of zinc lozenges.