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Table 1 Characteristics of high dose zinc acetate lozenge trials

From: The effectiveness of high dose zinc acetate lozenges on various common cold symptoms: a meta-analysis

Trial

Characteristics

Petrus et al. (1998) [ 21 ]*

 

Methods

Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial.

Participants

Included in the analysis: 52 Zn and 49 placebo participants: 47 M 54 F, mean age 26 yr (range 18 to 54 yr). Participants were recruited from the campus of the University of Texas through posted announcements. Exclusions: serious illnesses, organ transplants, disability.

Intervention

Zn acetate: one lozenge contained 9 mg Zn. Placebo lozenges contained sucrose octaacetate. Participants were instructed to use 1 lozenge every 1½ hr while awake during day 0, then 1 lozenge every 2 hr while awake on following days. The mean number of lozenges used per day by all participants was 9.9. Mean daily zinc dose was 89 mg/d. 97 of the 101 subjects started using zinc lozenges on the first day of enrollment in the study (4 on day 2), but data on the length of time between onset of symptoms and enrollment is not available.

Common cold definition

Presence of ≥2 of the following symptoms: nasal drainage, nasal congestion, cough, fever, myalgia, headache, sore throat, scratchy throat, hoarseness, sneezing, malaise.

Prasad et al. (2000) [ 22 ]

 

Methods

Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial.

Participants

Included in the analysis: 25 Zn and 23 placebo participants: 18 M 30 F, mean age 37 yr (SD 11 yr). Participants were students, staff, and employees at Wayne State University, Michigan, who were ≥18 yr. Exclusions: pregnancy, a known immunodeficiency disorder, chronic illnesses, previous use of zinc lozenges. Inclusion required that the cold had lasted for ≤24 hr.

Intervention

Zn acetate: one lozenge contained 12.8 mg Zn. Placebo lozenges contained sucrose octaacetate. Participants were instructed to dissolve 1 lozenge in their mouth every 2 to 3 hr while awake. The mean number of lozenges used per day in the Zn group was 6.2. Mean daily zinc dose was 80 mg/d.

Common cold definition

Presence of ≥2 of the following symptoms: cough, headache, hoarseness, muscle ache, nasal discharge, nasal congestion, scratchy throat, sore throat, sneezing, fever.

Prasad et al. (2008) [ 23 ]

 

Methods

Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial

Participants

Included in the analysis: 25 Zn and 25 placebo participants: 16 M 34 F, mean age 35 yr (SD 14 yr). Participants were students, staff, and employees at Wayne State University, Michigan, who were ≥18 yr. Exclusions: pregnancy, any known immune deficiency disorder or chronic illness, previous use of zinc lozenges. Inclusion required that the cold had lasted for ≤24 hr.

Intervention

Zn acetate: one lozenge contained 13.3 mg Zn. Placebo lozenges contained sucrose octaacetate. The packages were identical in appearance except for the randomization numbers. Participants were asked to dissolve 1 lozenge in their mouth every 2 to 3 hr while awake. The mean number of lozenges used per day in the Zn group was 6.9. Mean daily zinc dose was 92 mg/d.

Common cold definition

Presence of ≥2 of the following symptoms: cough, headache, hoarseness, muscle ache, nasal discharge, nasal congestion, scratchy throat, sore throat, sneezing, fever.

  1. *Additional information about [21] was received from Kenneth Lawson on Jan 7, 2015.