Can Zicam's Zinc-Based Remedy Actually Shorten the Life of a Cold Virus?

[larrybud]

Surprised I only found a couple of messages about Zicam, the Zinc based "cold remedy".

http://www.zicam.com/

The idea is that the zinc shortens the life of the cold virus. They don't make any claims like a "cure for the common cold".

 

[Dembadon]

Surprised I only found a couple of messages about Zicam, the Zinc based "cold remedy".

http://www.zicam.com/

The idea is that the zinc shortens the life of the cold virus. They don't make any claims like a "cure for the common cold".

I'm not sure about the validity of the product, but the FDA issued a warning about the gel and swabs.

http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/ucm166834.htm

 

[FlexGunship]

Surprised I only found a couple of messages about Zicam, the Zinc based "cold remedy".

http://www.zicam.com/

The idea is that the zinc shortens the life of the cold virus. They don't make any claims like a "cure for the common cold".

Hmm, I always thought it was a "homeopathic" remedy. After reading more, I see that you're right... it's just a zinc "vitamin" pill. My favorite thing is this, though:

The[/PLAIN] June 18 article “Zicam Not Alone in Side Effect Reports” portrays homeopathy in a very poor light.

[...]

Zicam is also not prepared like a true homeopathic remedy. Zicam’s labeling is misleading, claiming to be a “homeopathic preparation” of “1x potency” but in reality it is simply a 10% solution of zinc gluconate. Typical homeopathic remedies are much, much more dilute, often so dilute there are no molecules of the original substance left.

I always thought homeopathy portrays homeopathy in a very poor light, but apparently vitamins can do the same thing. And then the homeopath-author goes on to say that homeopathic medicine doesn't even have any medicine in it! So, apparently even homeopaths portray homeopathy in a very poor light.

My poor uncle overdosed on his homeopathic medicine; he forgot to take it!