Earlier today, the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning for consumers to stop using Zicam Cold Remedy nasal gel, as well as adult and kid-size Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs.
The over-the-counter, homeopathic cold medicine contains zinc and can cause long-lasting or permanent loss of smell. Since 1999, the FDA has received 130 reports of loss of smell associated with these Zicam products. In a few cases the loss of smell occurred after the first usage.
To see why the FDA never formally approved Zicam, read more.
The FDA never formally approved Zicam, marketed as a cold remedy to reduce symptoms like sore throat and stuffy nose, since homeopathic remedies are not required to go under federal review before launching. Because of this, the FDA is not initiating a formal recall, but has sent Matrixx, the makers of Zicam, a formal warning letter. Zicam products represented 40 percent of the company's sales for last year. Although Matrixx has settled hundreds of Zicam lawsuits over the years, the company said it will consider withdrawing the products, and has halted shipments of Zicam products. Matrixx claims that Zicam is “supported by the cumulative science and has been confirmed by a multidisciplinary panel of scientists.” The FDA responded that they were unaware of any data to support the health claims made about product.
Have you ever used Zicam? If so, how is your sense of smell?
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Rick Owens
I often use zicam when I get a cold. Incidentally, I also have a very poor (to sometimes non-existent) sense of smell. I have no idea if these are related, but very interesting...
1I literally just used Zicam a half hour ago today when someone happened to say to me "you have a cold? Don't use Zicam; there's a problem with it." Oh, well. I've been using it the past few years because you don't have to detox off it like with Afrin and it works really well. My sense of smell is completely fine.
2Never used Zicam (try to avoid using medications; prescribed or otc.) Glad to know of the recall though.
3i bought their melts once to try when i had a cold, they made me feel WORSE instead of better
4screw this brand
I've used the nasal swabs for a while now and haven't noticed a decrease in my sense of smell. I wonder what other factors have to be in place for a person to being to lose their sense of smell.
5I've never used Zicam, I don't often have sinus problems. I don't think, however, that 130 complaints in 10 years constitutes a big problem. Many more people than that have died using products that HAVE been approved by the FDA - with no action being taken to warn people or remove the product from use. Zicam must work really well for the FDA to look so hard for a reason to pull it.
6I was just thinking of going out to buy this. Thanks for posting this Fit
7I have never even heard of this medicine. I don't particularly like using nasal sprays anyhow (even though I live in the sinus infection capital of California). Thanks for posting, I will stay away and spread the word.
8My aunt lost her seance of smell from it long time ago !
9I've never used it; if I ever have sinus issues, I either take a decongestant or use plain saline spray.
10I use the Zicam tablets whenever I feel any cold symptoms and I haven't had a cold in over two years. I've never used the nasal products because I don't like nasal products. I hope they don't find a problem with the tablets and pull them too.
11Okay, this has me a little confused. Homeopathic really means there is nothing in there that does anything. That's science. Whether you *believe* it works for you is your own business, but you should know there isn't a lick of solid proof.
Given that, I'm puzzled how there is anything in this stuff that can do you harm.
I expect something else is causing their problem, like maybe not treating a serious condition.
12Of course the FDA has was not aware of the data to support Zicam's health claims--as this article states, the FDA didn't have to review the product! Furthermore, 130 cases hardly seems like anything for a product that has been on the market for 10 years. Has anyone crunched the numbers on how many people would be expected to develop anosmia independently out of a population this size?
13I used it once and it burned the s**t out of my nose. Luckily, the experience didn't seem to have any long-term effects and I never repeated it.
14The meting tablets are great. I used to get week-long miserable colds. Now I don't. It looks like the oral tablets don't have the same side effects, but even if they did, I'd rather live in a world without miserable colds even if I had to lose my sense of smell.
15My wife and I have used the otc cold medicine, Zicam, in the nasal swab form for at least 2 years. She had a complaint once about the smell problem but not again. It has been excellent in shortening the duration of the cold and sometimes even stopping it. Once in awhile it doesn't matter, the cold just runs its course.
16I've used Zicam for years and I'm a big believer that it stops a cold in its tracks when used as directed. And I have an almost TOO good sense of smell! 130 cases in 10 years does not an epidemic make. The most common cause of anosmia is having a cold!
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