Does Zicam or Zinc work to shorten colds?

[eliza61]

I'm in the middle of a horrible cold. I don't think it's the flu because I don't have a fever, just a really bad head cold. Of course this happens while I have the week off from work.

Anway, I remember those commercials about zicam shortening the length of a cold. Yea, or nay?

Anybody use it?

 

[Ohiodislover]

My mom swears by Zycam. I will say that the times I have used it, and taken it as directed, it has worked. My problem is that I keep forgetting it.

Also--Make sure you start when you start to feel bad. Once you feel really crappy, it doesn't seem to do the trick.

 

[ead79]

As an FYI, be aware that the FDA has issued warnings about the Zicam products that you use up your nose (like the swabs). Here's a link: http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm166931.htm

 

[JerseyJanice]

It's been proven that if your sinus cavities are coated with zinc, the cold virus cannot thrive there.

That said, how is Zicam being made now? One form was a gel spray, but they stopped selling it that way and recalled it after it was reported that some people permanently lost their ability to smell after using it.

It comes in other forms, which are safe, but I liked the gel spray myself. The lozenges left too much of a metallic flavor in my mouth.

 

[disney1990]

As an FYI, be aware that the FDA has issued warnings about the Zicam products that you use up your nose (like the swabs). Here's a link: http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm166931.htm

The nose version has been taken off the market.

 

[eliza61]

My mom swears by Zycam. I will say that the times I have used it, and taken it as directed, it has worked. My problem is that I keep forgetting it.

Also--Make sure you start when you start to feel bad. Once you feel really crappy, it doesn't seem to do the trick.

Ouch!! I'm in day 2 of crappyville.

 

[MIGrandma]

My colds normally start with a slight scratchy throat. I start using the zinc lozenges immediately, one every couple of hours or so, and usually by the next day my symptoms are gone and it doesn't develop into a full blown cold.

I think you have to start taking them right away though, at the first signs of symptoms. If you've already been feeling crappy for a day or two, they probably won't help.

 

[Christine]

Zinc has been proven to stop virus replication in the throat and nasal passages. But, just like Tamiflu for the flu, it really needs to be started at the onset of your syptoms when the virus is replicating like crazy. Once replication takes place or peaks, it really is of no use.

 

[Lanshark]

I have had good luck with the results when taken at the onset of symptoms. I still get the cold but it doesn't seem to be as bad or last as long.

 

[Christine]

I meant to add that zinc has only been proven effective against "rhinovirus" so if you have some other type of germ causing "cold-like" symptoms, the zinc treatment may not work at all because it won't fight anything that isn't rhinovirus.

 

[momrek06]

Last Sunday (20th) I woke up with the worst sore throat. DH bought me the ZICAM and I started using it. Along with Advil and Hall's. By Tuesday, the sore throat was completely gone. Yippee!!
We traveled over the holidays (23-27). I am exhausted and my cold is back but no sore throat....just sneezing and stuffy head. Back to the Zicam.

 

[The Orchid]

I used zinc products starting in 1996 and didn't get a cold until 2009 when I started taking several immune crashing drugs. I totally believe in Zicam and would recommend it to anybody!

 

[johnsontrio]

I use either the Zicam or Airborne. My colds in the past often lasted 10 days. Since I have started using these products, I haven't had another 10 day cold. They usually last 48-72 hours. Can't hurt to try. Most of these type products you need to begin at the onset of symptoms. Good luck.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

It is effective in our household...but only if we actually use it.

I had a cold coming on last week and I could not find out for sure if I could take zicam. Due to timing, I could not call OB as I did not consider it an emergency. Thankfully, my system got rid of it mostly. I'm guessing it was not a serious cold by any stretch.


But usually I take Zicam--and for the hard colds, it really does help nip them in the bud.

My kids depending on ages, go between Zicam and echinacea...whatever they are in the mood for.

There was one cold that went through our family--I think all of us felt it for a day or two..except for DH who "doesn't need that stuff" . He had his for a week.

 

[m&m's mom]

I swear by good ole plain zinc lozenges. Suck on them at the 1st sign and you will not have a cold progress.