Airborne Immune Support Effervescent Tablets Review: Would Buyers Buy It Again?
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy through links on this page we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How this review was made: We did not test this product in person. This verdict is based on our analysis of retailer ratings, research summaries and news coverage, all listed at the end of this article. Our method.
A pleasant fizzy vitamin C drink, but do not count on it to ward off colds
Walmart shoppers rate an Airborne 1000 mg effervescent tablet 4.6 out of 5 from 120 ratings, so people who like the format are happy with it. The catch is the evidence. A Cochrane review found regular vitamin C did not reduce how many colds people in the general population caught, and Airborne itself paid out 23.3 million dollars in 2008 to settle a false advertising class action over its cold claims (the company denied wrongdoing). We could not find evidence that the current product fails buyers, so we land on depends: fine as a flavored vitamin C habit, not a cold shield.
Check current price on Amazon → Prices and availability change often, so we don't list them here.Buy it again if you…
- enjoy a fizzy flavored drink and want a sugar-free vitamin C tablet
- just want vitamin C and some zinc in one daily tablet
- see it as a habit, not a cold preventer
Skip it if you…
- expect it to stop colds or flu
- want the simplest, plainest vitamin C
- are pregnant, on medication or have a health condition, unless a doctor agrees
This review summarizes research and user experiences and is not medical advice. Dietary supplements are not evaluated by the FDA to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Check with a doctor or pharmacist before taking it, especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, take medication, or have a health condition.
Airborne Immune Support is a tablet you drop in water. It fizzes into a flavored drink. Per a Walmart listing for the elderberry-flavor version, each tablet has 1000 mg of vitamin C and a blend that includes zinc, vitamins A and E, selenium and manganese. The listing says it is sugar free and gluten free, and the directions are one tablet a day in 4 to 6 ounces of water for adults and children 14 and older.
The brand has a famous past: it started as a self-described "miracle cold buster" and later settled a lawsuit over that kind of claim. We looked at that history, the vitamin C research, and what buyers say now.
What owners say, at a glance
Bars show our editorial summary of how consistently owners praise or complain about each area across all sources — not a lab measurement.
The key details
| Format | Effervescent tablet you dissolve in water |
|---|---|
| Vitamin C | 1000 mg per tablet (Walmart listing) |
| Also contains | A blend including zinc, vitamins A and E, selenium and manganese (amounts not listed on the page we read) |
| Directions | One tablet daily in 4 to 6 ounces of water, not hot water |
| Age | Adults and children 14 and older |
What buyers like
What the evidence says
Where the company's history matters
How it holds up over time
We found no long-term owner accounts. Because vitamin C is not shown to prevent colds in most people, the practical question is whether you enjoy the habit. The research authors note that people who get colds may still try vitamin C to see if it helps them personally.
Tips
- Do not use hot water, as the directions say.
- Stick to one tablet a day, since the label says not to exceed the serving.
- Do not rely on it in place of vaccines, handwashing or rest.
Pros and cons
What owners love
- Well rated at retail (4.6 out of 5 on one listing)
- Easy fizzy format, listed as sugar free
- 1000 mg of vitamin C plus zinc in one tablet
What owners complain about
- No strong evidence it prevents colds
- Brand paid a 2008 settlement over cold claims
- Ingredient blend amounts were not clear on the listing we read
Other options buyers compare
These vitamin C products come up most often next to Airborne.
| Product | Format | Consider it if… | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airborne Effervescent Tablets (this review) | Fizzy tablet with zinc | You like a flavored fizzy drink | See on Amazon |
| Emergen-C 1000 mg Vitamin C Read our review | Fizzy drink powder | You prefer a powder packet | See on Amazon |
| Nature Made Vitamin C 500 mg | Tablet | You want a plain daily vitamin C | See on Amazon |
Want a fizzy vitamin C tablet?
Check current sizes and flavors on Amazon.
Frequently asked questions
Does Airborne prevent colds?
We found no strong evidence that it does. A Cochrane review found regular vitamin C did not reduce colds in the general population.
What was the Airborne settlement?
In 2008 Airborne Health agreed to pay 23.3 million dollars to settle a false advertising class action. The company denied wrongdoing.
How much vitamin C is in each tablet?
A Walmart listing for the elderberry-flavor version says 1000 mg per tablet. Check your own package.
Is it medical advice to take it?
No. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist, especially if pregnant, on medication or managing a health condition.
Sources we analyzed
- CSPI: Airborne agrees to pay 23.3 million to settle lawsuit — settlement and trial details
- Drug Store News: Airborne to pay 23.3 million — date and company statement
- Cochrane: Vitamin C for preventing and treating the common cold — cold prevention and duration findings
- Merck Manual: Zinc supplements — zinc and the common cold
- Walmart: Airborne 1000mg Vitamin C Effervescent Tablets — rating, ingredients and directions
Figures reflect each source as of October 18, 2026 and may change. We summarize owner feedback in our own words and do not reproduce retailer reviews.