**Zinc** is the star here — at 25mg per lozenge, you're getting a solid immune-support dose right in the middle of the 15–30mg clinical range. The lozenge format is actually a plus: zinc lozenges specifically have trial data showing they can reduce cold duration by about a third when started within 24 hours of symptoms. The zinc comes from a mix of oxide, gluconate, and chelate forms, so absorption will vary — gluconate is the form most studied in lozenge trials.
**Vitamin C** comes in at 100mg per lozenge. Following the label's two-lozenge-per-day recommendation gets you to 200mg, which is still below the 250mg minimum used in most clinical research. You're covering your daily baseline but falling short of the therapeutic doses studied for immune benefits.
The **Elderberry Extract** and **Echinacea** are dosed at just 20mg each — a fraction of the 300–600mg studied in clinical trials for either ingredient. At these amounts, they're unlikely to contribute meaningful immune support despite appearing on the label.
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Swanson
Zinc & C with Elderberry & Echinacea, Orange & Lemon, 60 Lozenges
1 Lozenge × 2/day · 60 servings
What it does
The product name and ingredient list do not agree; purpose cannot be confirmed.
Vitamin C
ascorbic acidBudget
Label lists Vitamin C (100 mg). Benefit information is limited.
Zinc
Mixed formsGrade —
Label lists Zinc (25 mg). Benefit information is limited.
Ingredients (4)
Other ingredients
FructoseSweetener
Added free fructose is metabolized in the liver and at habitual intake is linked to elevated triglycerides, hepatic fat accumulation, and insulin resistance; an avoidable sugar load with no supplement benefit.
MaltodextrinBinder
Spikes blood sugar faster than table sugar (glycemic index 85–105). Research links it to gut bacteria changes that may promote intestinal inflammation (Nickerson et al. 2015). Used as a cheap filler — adds nothing beneficial.
Magnesium StearateLubricant
A salt of stearic acid used as a lubricant in tablet and capsule production
Natural Color (unspecified)Colorant
Umbrella declaration for a colorant from a natural source (fruit, vegetable, or plant extract) that the label does not name specifically
Natural FlavorsFlavor
Broad regulatory category of flavor constituents derived from natural sources. Composition is proprietary and not disclosed — 'Natural Flavors' can include several hundred different compounds depending on the target flavor profile, including hexane-extracted constituents and proprietary carrier solvents. 'Natural' is a regulatory definition (21 CFR §101.22), not a safety guarantee.
Natural Orange FlavorFlavor
A natural flavoring derived from orange to mask supplement taste
Stearic AcidLubricant
Saturated fatty acid used as tablet lubricant
Lab testing
How to take it
With food
Space it a couple of hours from Iron and Calcium
Split into 2 doses across the day
On the label
As a dietary supplement, dissolve one lozenge in the mouth two times per day. If desired, both lozenges may be consumed at the same time.
Price check
$4.39
Cheaper than 97% of 219 zinc supplements
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Sources & Scoring
Nutrient data (RDA, UL, and safety thresholds) sourced from the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements and the National Academies Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI).
This is not medical advice. Consult a healthcare provider before making changes to your supplement routine.
The score analyzes what's on the label: ingredient doses vs. studied ranges, chemical forms, evidence levels, and known interactions. It does not verify label accuracy or test for contaminants — for that, look for third-party certifications like USP or NSF.
Not medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional.