Zinc
Place in Therapy
Place in Therapy
Clinical evidence for the use of zinc lozenges for the treatment and prevention of cold symptoms is conflicting. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database lists the use of zinc for this indication as “Possibly Effective” [1] and Natural Standards grades its use as “Evidence Grade C” [2]. Current available evidence supports the use of zinc within 24 to 48 hours of onset of symptoms. A Cochrane review found that zinc is beneficial in reducing the duration and severity of symptoms if it is taken within 24 hours of onset and a significant reduction of these effects were observed if a minimum dose of 75mg/day was taken throughout the cold. The same review did not make any recommendations with regards to prophylactic use of zinc in the prevention of common cold due to insufficient data [3].
Based on the available evidence, the use of zinc is not recommended as first line therapy for the treatment and prevention of cold symptoms. However, since the medication is relatively safe and there are limited contraindications, it is advised that its use is accepted if the patient is interested in shortening the duration of her/his cold symptoms. Interactions with drugs, foods and herbal supplements should be taken into account.
References
1. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. Zinc. http://naturaldatabase.therapeuticresearch.com/nd/PrintVersion.aspx?id=982. Accessed March 21, 2013.
2. Natural Standard, Zinc, http://www.naturalstandard.com.proxy.lib.uwaterloo.ca/databases/herbssupplements/zinc.asp?#evidencereviewtable. Accessed March 21, 2014.
3. Singh M, Das RR. Zinc for the common cold. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2011;2: CD001364.
Clinical evidence for the use of zinc lozenges for the treatment and prevention of cold symptoms is conflicting. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database lists the use of zinc for this indication as “Possibly Effective” [1] and Natural Standards grades its use as “Evidence Grade C” [2]. Current available evidence supports the use of zinc within 24 to 48 hours of onset of symptoms. A Cochrane review found that zinc is beneficial in reducing the duration and severity of symptoms if it is taken within 24 hours of onset and a significant reduction of these effects were observed if a minimum dose of 75mg/day was taken throughout the cold. The same review did not make any recommendations with regards to prophylactic use of zinc in the prevention of common cold due to insufficient data [3].
Based on the available evidence, the use of zinc is not recommended as first line therapy for the treatment and prevention of cold symptoms. However, since the medication is relatively safe and there are limited contraindications, it is advised that its use is accepted if the patient is interested in shortening the duration of her/his cold symptoms. Interactions with drugs, foods and herbal supplements should be taken into account.
References
1. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. Zinc. http://naturaldatabase.therapeuticresearch.com/nd/PrintVersion.aspx?id=982. Accessed March 21, 2013.
2. Natural Standard, Zinc, http://www.naturalstandard.com.proxy.lib.uwaterloo.ca/databases/herbssupplements/zinc.asp?#evidencereviewtable. Accessed March 21, 2014.
3. Singh M, Das RR. Zinc for the common cold. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2011;2: CD001364.