Zicam is completely different® from most other cold remedies because it actually shortens colds versus just temporarily relieving symptoms. These quick-dissolve tablets, made with zinc, are clinically proven to shorten a cold when taken at the first sign.
When taken at the first sign of runny nose, sore throat, congestion, sneezing, aching, or other common cold symptoms, Zicam taps into the power of your own body's defenses so you can be better faster.
WILL ZINC SHORTEN A COLD?
A recent review of more than 40 years of research on the use of zinc for colds concluded that zinc shortens the duration of the common cold. A Cochrane review evaluated the results from 15 studies involving more than 1,300 participants. The authors concluded that taking zinc within 24 hours of the first signs of a cold reduced cold duration and that the symptoms were less severe in people who took zinc.1
On the basis of this research, Zinc is used as an ingredient in homeopathic medications including Zicam® cold remedies, which are used for the treatment of colds and the relief of cold symptoms such as sore throat, runny nose, cough, and congestion. Zicam® is clinically proven to shorten colds when taken at the first sign. The first signs of a cold may appear as little as 10 hours after infection with a cold virus, with full-blown symptoms appearing 2-3 days after infection. Common symptoms that signal a cold are scratchy throat, cough, runny nose, body aches, and unexplained tiredness. To shorten a cold, it is important to take action as soon as you notice the first signs of a cold.
1Singh M, Das RR. Zinc for the common cold. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011 Feb 16;(2):CD001364