Zinc for Patients with COVID-19?

In a randomized, blinded, multicenter study in Tunisia, oral zinc demonstrated a beneficial effect on COVID-19 progression, particularly in hospitalized patients with severe disease.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, initial reports of improved outcomes with various repurposed drugs or vitamins (e.g., vitamin C, hydroxychloroquine) have not been confirmed in larger randomized studies. Now, investigators report results of a randomized trial of zinc. Between February 15 and May 4, 2022, 470 patients presenting to the COVID-19 triage area at five hospitals in Tunisia were randomized to 15 days of oral zinc (25 mg twice daily) or placebo. Patients with severe comorbidities, need for assisted ventilation, or >7 days of symptoms were excluded. Mean age was 54, 60% required supplemental oxygen at enrollment, and 23% had received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

At 30 days, the primary composite outcome (ICU ad…

Reviewing Author

Daniel Kaul, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNobelpharma; Pfizer

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Transplantation (Program Committee)

Daniel Kaul, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNobelpharma; Pfizer

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Transplantation (Program Committee)

Zinc for Patients with COVID-19?

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Reviewing Author