Method for reducing the duration of the common cold

Abstract

The invention disclosed and claimed is a method to reduce duration of common colds in humans as evinced by reduction of duration of 10 common cold symptoms through use of zinc gluconate topically and frequently applied to the oral mucosa. The invention improves upon the prior art using zinc intranasally as an astringent and decongestant in treatment of common colds. Results of a clinical study are presented in support of disclosure and claims.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. The method of administering an agent to reduce duration of common cold symptoms in humans, which includes reducing the duration of nasal drainage, nasal congestion, headache, fever, myalgia, sneezing, sore throat, scratchy throat, cough, and .[.horseness.]. .Iadd.hoarseness .Iaddend.when such symptoms evince existence of a common cold, comprising: applying, in the form of a lozenge, zinc gluconate to the oral mucosa of a human in need of treatment;   permitting zinc to remain in contact with the mucosa for a period of time necessary for lozenges to dissolve;   and applying additional dosages of zinc until the symptoms have disappeared.   
     
     
       2. The method according to claim 1 wherein dosages of zinc gluconate each contain 2 to 50 milligrams of zinc. 
     
     
       3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the first dosage of zinc gluconate is double that of additional dosages, additional dosages each consists of a single lozenge given two hours after a previously applied dosage, and all dosages are applied during the waking hours of the human in need of treatment. .Iadd. 
     
     
       4.  A method for treating the common cold comprising: (a) applying an effective dosage of zinc gluconate to the oral mucosa of a human in need of treatment;   (b) permitting the zinc thereof to remain in contact with the oral mucosa for a period of time necessary for it to saturate the oral mucosa; and   (c) applying additional dosages to zinc gluconate in like fashion until the cold has been treated. .Iaddend. .Iadd.   
     
     
       5.  The according to claim 4 wherein a first dosage of zinc gluconate is double that of additional dosages, additional dosages each consisting of a single dosage given approximately two hours after a previously applied dosage. .Iaddend. .Iadd.6. The method according to claim 4 wherein dosages of zinc gluconate each contain between about 2 and about 200 milligrams of zinc. .Iaddend. .Iadd.7. The method according to claim 6 wherein dosages of zinc gluconate each contain between about 2 and about 50 milligrams of zinc. .Iaddend. .Iadd.8. The method of claim 4 wherein the dosage form is a solid dosage form, and the zinc is permitted to remain in contact with the oral mucosa for a period of time necessary for it to dissolve. 
     
     
        .Iaddend. .Iadd.9.  The method of claim 8 wherein the dosage form is a candy. .Iaddend. .Iadd.10. The method of claim 8 wherein the dosage form is a chewing gum. .Iaddend. .Iadd.11. The method of claim 8 wherein the dosage form is a lozenge. .Iaddend. .Iadd.12. The method of claim 8 wherein the dosage form is a troche. .Iaddend. .Iadd.13. The method of claim 8 wherein the dosage form is a tablet. .Iaddend. .Iadd.14. The method of claim 8 wherein the dosage form is a powder. .Iaddend. .Iadd.15. The method of claim 4 wherein the dosage form is an aerosol. .Iaddend. .Iadd.16. The method of claim 4 wherein the dosage form is a liquid. .Iaddend. .Iadd.17. The method of claim 16 wherein the liquid is a liquid spray. .Iaddend. .Iadd.18. A method for treating symptoms commonly associated with the common cold, the symptoms including nasal drainage, nasal congestion, headache, fever, myalgia, sneezing, sore throat, scratchy throat, cough or hoarseness to reduce the duration or severity thereof comprising: (a) applying an effective dosage of zinc gluconate to the oral mucosa of a human in need of treatment;   (b) permitting the zinc thereof to remain in contact with the oral mucosa for a period of time necessary for it to saturate the oral mucosa; and   (c) applying additional dosages of zinc gluconate in like fashion until the   
     
     
        severity or duration of the symptom has been reduced. .Iaddend. .Iadd.19. The method according to claim 18 wherein a first dosage of zinc gluconate is double that of additional dosages, additional dosages each consisting of a single dosage given approximately two hours after a previously applied dosage. .Iaddend. .Iadd.20. The method according to claim 18 wherein dosages of zinc gluconate each contain between about 2 and about 200 milligrams of zinc. .Iaddend. .Iadd.21. The method according to claim 20 wherein dosages of zinc gluconate each contain between about 2 and about 50 milligrams of zinc. .Iaddend. .Iadd.22. The method of claim 18 wherein the dosage form is a solid dosage form, and the zinc is permitted to remain in contact with the oral mucosa for a period of time necessary 
     
     
        for it to dissolve. .Iaddend. .Iadd.23.  The method of claim 22 wherein the dosage form is a candy. .Iaddend. .Iadd.24. The method of claim 22 wherein the dosage form is a chewing gum. .Iaddend. .Iadd.25. The method of claim 22 wherein the dosage form is a lozenge. .Iaddend. .Iadd.26. The method of claim 22 wherein the dosage form is a troche. .Iaddend. .Iadd.27. The method of claim 22 wherein the dosage form is a tablet. .Iaddend. .Iadd.28. The method of claim 22 wherein the dosage form is a powder. .Iaddend. .Iadd.29. The method of claim 18 wherein the dosage form is an aerosol. .Iaddend. .Iadd.30. The method of claim 18 wherein the dosage form is a liquid. .Iaddend. .Iadd.31. The method of claim 30 wherein the dosage form is a liquid spray. .Iaddend.