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Zinc lozenges for colds — the evidence
A Cochrane review found zinc taken within 24 hours of the first symptoms shortens a cold by roughly a day in healthy adults, at the cost of a bad taste and some nausea. The effect is dose- and timing-dependent, and the lozenge form matters — tablets swallowed whole do not touch the throat where the virus is replicating.
Ce que disent les preuves
Verdict: Some evidence. A Cochrane review found zinc taken within 24 hours of the first symptoms shortens a cold by roughly a day in healthy adults, at the cost of a bad taste and some nausea. The effect is dose- and timing-dependent, and the lozenge form matters — tablets swallowed whole do not touch the throat where the virus is replicating.
Quoi faire vraiment
If you use it: start at the very first symptom, use lozenges (typically 75-90 mg of zinc per day, split through the day), and stop after a few days — long-term high-dose zinc causes copper deficiency and can blunt smell. Skip it if it makes you nauseous; the benefit is modest.
Source: Cochrane — zinc for the common cold (CD001364) · checked 2026-09-07
Référence d’autosoins, pas un avis médical. Enfants, adultes plus âgés, grossesse et quiconque avec une maladie de longue durée devraient avoir un seuil plus bas pour appeler un clinicien. Symptômes graves ou qui s’aggravent, gêne à respirer ou confusion : obtenez de l’aide médicale.