1.   But patients, their advocates and companies that try to sell drugs like zinc acetate say it is not that simple.

2.   He believes that zinc acetate may actually cure colds, not just reduce their duration.

3.   However, no clinical trials have been conducted yet on zinc acetate, Eby said.

4.   Instead of zinc gluconate, which is a common nutritional supplement, the new lozenge is made of zinc acetate, a compound of zinc and acetic acid.

5.   The problem is that Galzin is zinc acetate, and zinc acetate is sold both as a prescription drug and over the counter as a food supplement.

6.   With zinc acetate, she said, her group actively sought a company to sell the product as a drug.

7.   Zinc acetate is not currently sold for nutritional purposes, according to Eby, who says that it is mainly used in dental amalgams.