Zinc acetate lozenges ‘can aid recovery from common cold’

People with a common cold could speed up their recovery with the use of zinc acetate lozenges, according to a new study.

Conducted by the University of Helsinki, the study analysed the results of three existing trials that saw people with colds receiving zinc acetate doses of between 80 to 92 mg per day for one to two weeks, starting very soon after the onset of the first cold symptoms.

It was shown that the lozenges may increase the rate of recovery as much as threefold, with 70 percent of lozenge recipients having recovered by the fifth day, compared with only 27 percent of those receiving a placebo.

The researchers noted that many people with other conditions are administered doses of zinc that far exceed this amount, meaning any risk of adverse effects is low. As such, people with colds could benefit from testing individually whether zinc lozenges are helpful for them.

Dr Harri Hemila from the University of Helsinki said: "Given the strong evidence of efficacy and the low risk of adverse effects, common cold patients may already be encouraged to try zinc acetate lozenges not exceeding 100 mg of elemental zinc per day for treating their colds."

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