Zinc lozenges
Cochrane: zinc lozenges started within 24h of cold symptoms shorten duration by ~1.5 days.
Why
Cochrane: zinc lozenges started within 24h of cold symptoms shorten duration by ~1.5 days. Use acetate or gluconate, not citrate.
How it works
Free zinc ions bind ICAM-1 on nasal epithelium, blocking rhinovirus attachment; effect requires direct mucosal contact (lozenge, not capsule).
Expected onset · Acute use only; effect is on shortening cold duration, not preventing it
How to take
Dosage
≥75 mg elemental zinc per day in divided doses, started within 24 h of first symptom, every 2–3 hours while awake, for up to 1 week.
Timing
Acute-illness only, starting within 24h of first symptom
On the label
Zinc acetate or gluconate, ≥75 mg/day total elemental zinc, not zinc citrate or oxide.
Safety
Evidence
Singh & Das 2013 Cochrane review: zinc lozenges (≥75 mg/day elemental zinc, started within 24 h of symptom onset) shortened the common cold by ~1 day vs placebo. Trade-off: nausea and bad taste in some users. Effect requires direct mucosal contact, so lozenges only, not capsules.
Where to get it
Shop Zinc lozenges on AmazonSponsored · As an Amazon Associate, Healicus earns from qualifying purchases.