How does zicam work 2017

A review of scientific literature found that taking vitamin C regularly did not reduce the likelihood of getting a cold but was linked to small improvements in cold symptoms. In studies in which people took vitamin C only after they got a cold, vitamin C did not improve their symptoms.

A note about safety: Vitamin C is generally considered safe; however, high doses can cause digestive disturbances such as diarrhea and nausea. Echinacea has not been proven to help prevent or treat colds. Echinacea is an herbal supplement that some people use to treat or prevent colds. Echinacea products vary widely, containing different species, parts, and preparations of the echinacea plant. Reviews of research have found limited evidence that some echinacea preparations may be useful for treating colds in adults, while other preparations did not seem to be helpful.

In addition, echinacea has not been shown to reduce the number of colds that adults catch. Only a small amount of research on echinacea has been done in children, and the results of that research are inconsistent. A note about safety: Few side effects have been reported in clinical trials of echinacea; however, some people may have allergic reactions. In one large clinical trial in children, those who took echinacea had an increased risk of developing rashes.

The evidence that probiotic supplements may help to prevent colds is weak, and little is known about their long-term safety. About the Common Cold. Cold Viruses. Common Cold Facts and Myths. Cold Prevention. Zinc and Colds.

About Homeopathy. Cold or Allergies. Cold or Flu. What are the active ingredients? Will the Allergy Relief Nasal Spray relieve more than just my nasal congestion? Will the Allergy Relief Nasal Spray make me drowsy? Where can I find information about your Berry Lemonade Crystals? Feeling the first signs of a cold? The oral products in the Zicam line e. The original zinc-containing nasal spray formulations, however, were recalled after federal investigators found that the nasal application of zinc can cause the loss of the sense of smell.

Because of this, nasal Zicam products on stores shelves today have plant-based homeopathic active ingredients. Although considered safer, there is a lack of evidence as to whether they can actually treat colds. Oral Zicam products contain zinc as their active ingredient, while the nasal products do not. As such, their methods of action differ. Zicam oral products Zicam RapidMelts, Medicated Fruit Drops, Wild Cherry Lozenges, Oral Mist, and Ultra Crystals contain zinc as their active ingredient in the form of zincum aceticum and zincum gluconicum the homeopathic names of zinc acetate and zinc gluconate.

The theory is that zinc ions can block rhinoviruses the most common viruses that cause colds at the point where they bind to the cells lining the respiratory passages. Taken at the start of a cold, zinc may reduce the duration of a cold.

Lozenges and other oral Zicam applications especially target viruses in the oral cavity and throat, and should be taken as soon as symptoms develop. When taken by mouth, zinc is considered safe if not overused. However, zinc can have unpleasant side effects, including leaving a bad taste in the mouth and nausea. The ingredients in Zicam nasal products available today are mostly plant-based and found in other homeopathic remedies for allergies and cold symptoms.

Homeopathic products are based on the theory that "like cures like," meaning that highly diluted amounts of a substance are used to provoke a symptom in order to cure that very symptom. Nasal Zicam products follow this methodology. The listed active ingredients are highly diluted extracts of Galphimia glauca , Luffa operculata , and Sabadilla.

While commonly used in homeopathy, there is little qualitative research to support their use in treating colds. The inactive ingredients include eucalyptol from eucalyptus , eugenol from clove oil , and menthol.

Zicam continues to label its nasal products as "clinically-proven," although their website does not offer links to any clinical studies other than for zinc-based products. Nasal Zicam options were once formulated with zinc as the active ingredient, with the idea that they worked as the oral products do.

But studies showed that the application of zinc to nasal passages may cause irreversible side effects, including the loss of smell. As such, in June , the U. Food and Drug Administration FDA warned consumers not to use Zicam nasal spray or gel swabs because they may cause a permanent loss of the sense of smell.

As a result, Zicam nasal products were reformulated to no longer contain zinc. The new nasal Zicam formulations became available in and are sold today. According to the manufacturer, Zicam can be used by adults and children 12 and over.

Children under 12 should only use Zicam under the direction of a pediatrician or family healthcare provider. The manufacturer does not state what risks Zicam poses to younger children.

Generally speaking, all homeopathic products should only be used in adults or children after consultation with a qualified health professional.