Article: Zinc nasal gel for the treatment of common cold symptoms: A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Abstract

Effective treatments for the common cold have been difficult to develop because so many different types of virus are responsible for this condition. Oral zinc has been studied as a possible means of preventing or alleviating symptoms, with mixed results. We studied a new approach to zinc therapy--an over-the-counter nasal gel formulation (Zicam)--to independently evaluate its efficacy as a treatment for the common cold. Our study was conducted at four sites over a 5-month period. The study group consisted of 213 patients with recent-onset ([less than or equal to]24 hr) cold symptoms; 108 patients received zinc therapy, and 105 received placebo. Symptom ...

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