CVS Health Zinc Lozenges Cvs, Orange (with Photos, Prices & Reviews) – CVS Pharmacy; Zinc lozenges are not recommended for children under 6 years of age. If you are pregnant or nursing, seek the advice of a health professional before using this product. Do not exceed suggested use. Suggested use: Take 2 lozenges every two hours while awake as needed. Do not take more than 12 lozenges per day. Dissolve one at a time slowly in mouth.
Zinc lozenges and tablets are used as a supplement to treat or help prevent zinc deficiency. Zinc is important for growth and for the development and health of body tissues. It is used for boosting the immune system, treating the common cold and recurrent ear infections, and preventing lower respiratory infections. Some people use it for diabetes, high blood pressure, macular degeneration, and AIDS.
How does it work?
Zinc is a mineral that is found in several systems within the body. It is needed for the body’s defensive (immune) system to properly work. It plays a role in cell division, cell growth, wound healing, and the breakdown of carbohydrates. Zinc is also needed for the senses of smell and taste.
Zinc lozenges contain zinc gluconate or zinc acetate which dissolve slowly in the mouth after being sucked or chewed. The active ingredients are released into saliva and then swallowed. This allows them to reach the throat where they can help fight off colds or other infections by killing germs in this area
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Zinc lozenges have been shown to reduce the severity, duration and frequency of symptoms like sore throat, cough, headache and fever. Zinc may also help prevent the common cold. Zinc lozenges are available in different forms and potencies.
What are symptoms of the common cold?
The most common symptoms of the common cold are a runny nose and nasal congestion, but you may also experience a sore throat, sneezing, coughing, headache and/or body ache. The common cold is caused by a virus that can infect your upper respiratory tract (nasal passages, sinuses and throat). Colds are contagious and can be spread by direct contact with infected people or by touching surfaces that they’ve touched.
When should I start taking zinc?
It’s best to start taking zinc lozenges as soon as you feel the early symptoms of a cold. The longer you wait to start treatment, the less effective it is likely to be.
How often should I take zinc?
Most zinc lozenges need to be taken at least every two hours during waking hours for one to two weeks (depending on the package instructions). If you forget to take your zinc lozenge for longer than two hours,
Zinc lozenges or zinc acetate or zinc gluconate may shorten the duration of colds when taken within 24 hours after symptoms start. Some studies show that taking high doses of zinc within 24 hours of the first signs of a cold can reduce the symptoms by almost two days, but others show no benefit. This benefit is only seen in people who do not get enough zinc in their normal diet.
Some products have been marketed as cold-fighting supplements containing mostly, or exclusively, zinc. If a supplement contains more than 50 mg of zinc per serving, it can reduce the absorption of other minerals such as iron, magnesium and calcium. People who are sick should be careful about using these products for more than a few consecutive days because they can complicate their recovery from a cold.
Zinc lozenges are a popular remedy for the common cold. Cold-Eeze is one of the most popular brands of zinc lozenges.
Cold-Eeze lozenges have been evaluated in several studies and found to reduce the duration of a cold, compared to a placebo. The effectiveness was especially pronounced in children.
In adults, zinc lozenges reduced the duration of a cold by about seven days, on average.
Researchers believe that zinc interferes with the ability of cold viruses to multiply.
However, not all studies have shown that zinc lozenges are effective against colds (1).
Zinc has also been found to reduce the severity of cold symptoms, including cough and nasal congestion (2).
Carbohydrate consumption can reduce the absorption of zinc from supplements. For this reason, it’s important to take zinc lozenges without food or drinks containing sugar or starches (3).
These include candy, cookies, potato chips and soft drinks.
The best cold remedies are the ones that help reduce the length and severity of symptoms. But how do you know which one is right for you?
It’s important to keep in mind that not every cold remedy works for every person. And, depending on your symptoms, some might not be recommended.
The best way to find out if a cold remedy is right for you is to talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help you choose a remedy that’s safe and effective for you.
Best Cold Remedies When You’re Sick
When you have a cold, it’s important to stay hydrated and get plenty of rest. But sometimes this isn’t enough to feel better. In that case, there are plenty of over-the-counter (OTC) medications available to help with your symptoms.
What Lozenges Have Zinc in Them?
According to a study in the British Medical Journal, zinc can reduce the duration and severity of the common cold. But it needs to be taken within 24 hours of onset.
Additionally, lozenges are more effective than zinc syrup in delivering zinc to the body, as they dissolve in your mouth, which has a larger surface area than the lining of your stomach. And they’re easier to take: most people find swallowing lozenges more palatable than drinking syrup.
However, not all lozenges have zinc in them. Many make big claims about their effectiveness but don’t contain it or have too little to make any difference.
To find out if a lozenge has a meaningful amount of zinc acetate or zinc gluconate, look for the ingredients list on its packaging. If it doesn’t have this information, check for them in its FAQs or contact the manufacturer directly.
Zinc is the most commonly used lozenge ingredient. It comes in different forms and is included in many lozenges, including Cold-Eeze and Zicam. The zinc in these products can come from natural sources or be produced synthetically.
Zinc lozenges are most effective when zinc acetate, zinc gluconate, or zinc gluconate glycine is taken every 2-3 hours at a dose of 75 to 100 mg in adults. This equates to 3 to 4 lozenges per day.
In October 2007, the FDA required that all over-the-counter (OTC) zinc nasal sprays be removed from the U.S. market because they were linked to loss of the sense of smell (anosmia). For this reason, it is important not to confuse OTC zinc nasal sprays with oral zinc supplements that are taken by mouth or lozenges.
There are several over-the-counter cold remedies that contain zinc ingredients:
Cold-Eeze
ColdCalm
Coricidin HBP Cough & Cold
Dristan Cold Multi Symptom Formula
Hyland’s 4 Kids Cold ‘N Cough (for children ages 2-12)
Zinc gluconate
Zinc sulfate
Zinc acetate
Zinc citrate
Common zinc cough drops include:
Cold-Eeze lozenges (zinc gluconate)
CVS lozenges (zinc gluconate)
Halls Defense Sugar Free Assorted Fruit Lozenges (zinc gluconate)
Luden’s Cough Drops with Vitamin C and Zinc (zinc gluconate)
Zinc lozenges have been shown to shorten the duration of colds in adults. Zinc gluconate is more commonly used in clinical trials and appears to be more effective than other forms of zinc. However, zinc acetate has also been shown to reduce cold symptoms. The following are some lozenges that contain zinc:
The Cold-Eeze regular strength throat lozenges contain 18 mg of zinc gluconate per lozenge, which provides 13.3 mg of elemental zinc.
Cold-Eeze Extra Strength cough drops contain 14 mg of zinc gluconate, providing 9.8 mg of elemental zinc per drop.
The Zicam line of products includes gel swabs and nasal swabs with zinc gluconate and zinc acetate. These are not suitable for children under the age of three years old.
Zincum metallicum (lozenges) by Boiron contains 1X potency of the homeopathic ingredient Zincum metallicum (Zn) is a homeopathic remedy that can be used as an alternative treatment for colds and allergies, according to Drugs.com
We work hard to ensure that the products we sell are safe, effective and contain the ingredients listed on our labels.
Zinc gluconate is a common ingredient in over-the-counter cold lozenges, and it is also used as a flavoring agent in oral health products. As with other zinc compounds, zinc gluconate may cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
We have not received any reports of adverse events related to this product. If you experience any problems that may be related to taking this product, please stop taking the product and consult your healthcare professional.
The two zinc lozenges that have been used in cold studies are Zinc gluconate and Zinc acetate.
The amount of elemental (not total) zinc in each is:
Zinc gluconate=13.3mg per lozenge, with an upper limit of 40mg/d
Zinc acetate=23.3mg per lozenge, with an upper limit of 80mg/d
Note that the studies used lozenges every 2 hours, which would be 6-12 lozenges/day. The upper limits above suggest that you could take more than this, but it’s not clear what the optimal dose is.
There is no evidence that zinc can prevent or shorten colds. Zinc lozenges are sold without a prescription. Some people who have taken zinc for the common cold have had side effects such as nausea, bad taste in the mouth, or stomach pain.
For more information on the common cold, visit MedlinePlus or call the OWH Helpline at 1-800-994-9662.
Can You Take Too Many Zinc Lozenges?
Question:
Can you take too many zinc lozenges? I’ve been taking about 4 to 5 a day. I feel great and I was wondering if it is safe to continue this course of treatment.
Answer:
I am not aware of any studies that have looked at what happens when you take too much zinc over the long term. However, there are some potential side effects of taking too much zinc in the short term. It can interfere with copper metabolism and cause nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Higher doses (30 mg or more per day) are likely to cause stomach upset in many people. Zinc should also not be taken by anyone who has had a kidney transplant because it can interfere with rejection medication.
No, you can’t take too many zinc lozenges. The amount of elemental (the active ingredient in the lozenge) zinc absorbed into the system is very small; and it seems to be the same whether you take one lozenge or several at a time. However, if you are taking enough lozenges to cause side effects- like nausea or a bad taste in your mouth- then you’re taking too much!
Zinc Lozenges for Colds: The Research
In his 1997 book Healing with Vitamins, Durk Pearson and Sandy Shaw present evidence that zinc lozenges may have a therapeutic effect on treating common colds. They cite a study where zinc lozenges shortened the duration of colds by 40%.
But since this discovery was made there has been some controversy over whether these findings are correct. Many other studies have shown no effect of zinc lozenges on either shortening or preventing the common cold (1).
Some researchers claim that the results of these studies may have been affected by using different forms of zinc, using different doses, and even using different strains of cold virus.
I’m not sure why you would want to take too many zinc lozenges, but I have seen a couple of people do so. One was a teenager who assumed it would help him clear his acne, and the other was an older woman who liked the way it seemed to suppress her appetite.
The potentially dangerous side effects of taking too much zinc include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, abdominal cramps, headaches and dizziness. If large amounts are taken over a long period of time, damage can occur to the gut, with bleeding ulcers and perforation of the stomach or intestine being possible complications. Zinc can also cause anemia since it interferes with the body’s absorption of iron.
A common recommendation for common colds is to take zinc lozenges every few hours while you have symptoms. You should not exceed the recommended dose on the package. Some studies suggest that too much zinc can actually increase your risk for colds by altering immune system function.
Too much zinc can result in a copper deficiency, which can lead to anemia and a weakened immune system. Too much zinc may also cause blood thinning, thereby increasing risks of infection and bleeding. The Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine has set the tolerable upper intake level for adults at 40 mg per day. The Board also set tolerable upper intake levels for infants and children, but did not do so for adolescents.
Although it is unlikely that anyone would take more than 40 mg of zinc in the form of lozenges, it is certainly possible. A 50 mg lozenge every two hours during one illness could easily add up to more than 400 mg over several days. Therefore, if you are using zinc lozenges you should be mindful of the amount of zinc you are taking each day, particularly if you don’t feel better after 24 hours
Gargling with salt water and zinc lozenges to help prevent the flu may seem like a good idea, but too much of a good thing can be bad for you.
Adults should not consume more than 40 mg of zinc per day. If you take three times the maximum recommended daily dose — which is not uncommon — that could lead to severe medical problems.
Too much zinc can interfere with the absorption of copper and iron, causing anemia and other problems. Zinc toxicity can also damage your nerves and cause copper deficiency myelopathy, a disease that attacks the spine.
Zinc toxicity is rare in healthy individuals, because your body naturally limits how much it absorbs from foods. But zinc toxicity is more difficult to control when taking large doses of supplements or lozenges.
Healthy adults can safely consume about 40 milligrams of zinc a day, according to the National Institutes of Health. For most people, that means taking no more than one zinc lozenge every four hours, though not for more than five days.
It’s a good idea to take a break from zinc after five days and then restart, to keep your body from becoming dependent on it for immune function.
Zinc lozenges — often taken to reduce the severity and duration of colds — are available at most drugstores and pharmacies. They’re not recommended for children under age 4.
Zinc lozenges are a popular remedy for colds. They’re thought to reduce the duration and severity of cold symptoms because when you dissolve them in your mouth, zinc ions are absorbed into your bloodstream. Once there, the ions prevent viruses from replicating by inhibiting an enzyme they need to copy their RNA.
At least, that’s the theory. In practice, many types of zinc lozenge don’t release enough zinc to be effective. Others aren’t taken properly. If you don’t suck on them for long enough, the zinc ions won’t have time to enter your bloodstream before they’re swallowed.
As a result, several studies have found that zinc lozenges do nothing to prevent or treat colds. On the other hand, some studies have shown that this remedy can shorten colds by as much as 40%. More recent research suggests that zinc acetate and gluconate work best. Zinc acetate is also available in nasal spray form — one study found that it reduced the length of colds by more than four days1.
The bottom line is that this remedy is worth a try if you have a cold and want to speed up your recovery (and if you get sick often, consider taking it all winter). But keep