Key result
The authors defend their study, stating that the placebo used did not bias the results favoring zinc lozenges for the treatment of the common cold.
Why the study?
Do zinc gluconate lozenges reduce the duration of symptoms in patients with the common cold?
Do zinc gluconate lozenges reduce the duration of symptoms in patients with the common cold?
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
The authors defend their prior study findings, asserting that the placebo used did not result in biased results favoring zinc lozenges for the common cold.
Letters1 May 1997Zinc Gluconate Lozenges for Treating the Common ColdMichael L. Macknin, MD, Sherif B. Mossad, MD, and Sharon V. Medendorp, MPHMichael L. Macknin, MDCleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH 44195Search for more papers by this author, Sherif B. Mossad, MDCleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH 44195Search for more papers by this author, and Sharon V. Medendorp, MPHCleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH 44195Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-126-9-199705010-00016 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail IN RESPONSE:We do not agree with Farr and colleagues that the placebo used in our study resulted in biased results favoring beneficial treatment effects of the zinc lozenges. Patients receiving zinc lozenges who reported no side effects of the medication before the end of the study reported a duration of symptoms similar to that in persons with side effects. The number of placebo and zinc recipients who believed that their medication had helped alleviate their cold symptoms did not significantly differ. No clear pattern of movement was seen regarding a patient's guesses about which medication he or she was ...References1. Korant BD, Butterworth BE. Inhibition by zinc of rhinovirus protein cleavage: interaction of zinc with capsid polypeptides. J Virol. 1976; 18:298-306. Google Scholar2. Salas M, Kirchner H. Induction of interferon-γ in human leukocyte cultures stimulated by Zn2+. Clin Immunol Immunopathol. 1987; 45:139-42. Google Scholar3. Novick SG, Godfrey JC, Godfrey NJ, Wlder HR. How does zinc modify the common cold? Clinical observations and implications regarding mechanism of action. Med Hypotheses. 1996; 46:295-302. Google Scholar4. Pasternak CA. A novel form of host defence: membrane protection by Ca2+ and Zn2+. Biosci Rep. 1987; 7:81-91. Google Scholar5. Kelly RW, Abel MH. Copper and zinc inhibit the metabolism of prostaglandin by the human uterus. Biol Reprod. 1983; 28:883-9. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Michael L. Macknin, MD; Sherif B. Mossad, MD; Sharon V. Medendorp, MPHAffiliations: Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH 44195 PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics 1 May 1997Volume 126, Issue 9Page: 739KeywordsCell membranesCommon coldEpitheliumInterferonsNursesZinc ePublished: 15 August 2000 Issue Published: 1 May 1997 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 1997 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...
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Michael L. Macknin (1997) conducted a letter in Common cold. Zinc gluconate lozenges vs. Placebo was evaluated on Duration of symptoms. The authors defend their study, stating that the placebo used did not bias the results favoring zinc lozenges for the treatment of the common cold.
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