Condition
    Effectiveness 1/5

    Zinc for Pneumonia

    Zinc shows benefit for childhood pneumonia in deficient populations but has no established role in adult community-acquired pneumonia.

    Overview

    Zinc shows benefit for childhood pneumonia in deficient populations but has no established role in adult community-acquired pneumonia.

    Verdict

    Insufficient evidence

    Adult evidence is absent; do not substitute zinc for antibiotics or assessment.

    How It Works

    Zinc is required for lymphocyte function and epithelial barrier integrity; deficiency impairs both cell-mediated immunity and mucosal defence.

    Dosing & Protocol

    Typical dose

    Recommended dose
    No established therapeutic dose for pneumonia
    Expected timeframe
    Not applicable — no demonstrated acute benefit.

    Protocol

    form
    Zinc gluconate or picolinate
    notes
    Correct documented deficiency only
    duration
    n/a
    starting dose
    Not recommended as pneumonia therapy

    Evidence

    What the studies say

    Cochrane reviews of zinc as adjunctive therapy in childhood pneumonia in low-income settings show inconsistent effects on treatment failure and mortality, with more recent trials tending to null. Adult community-acquired pneumonia has not been studied adequately. Observational data linking low zinc status to worse outcomes cannot separate deficiency from severity of illness. There is no basis for zinc as a pneumonia treatment in well-nourished adults.

    Zinc supplementation for the prevention of pneumonia in children aged 2 months to 59 months

    Score: 8/10
    2016
    systematic_review
    n=5193

    Lassi ZS, et al.

    Zinc supplementation in children is associated with a reduction in the incidence and prevalence of pneumonia.

    View source

    Safety

    Caveats

    Doses above 40mg daily long term impair copper absorption and can cause anaemia and neuropathy. Zinc on an empty stomach commonly causes nausea.

    Less likely to help if

    Well-nourished adults with normal zinc status.

    Medical Disclaimer

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    Individual results may vary. The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products and information are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.