| The Food and Drug Administration issued a warning | | | | event to the agency's MedWatch program. In its |
| on June 16, 2009 for three Zicam nasal products, | | | | health advisory, the FDA said that many cases of |
| including Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel. According to | | | | loss of smell occurred with the first dose of Zicam, |
| the FDA warning, the popular cold remedies may | | | | but it may happen with later doses as well. |
| pose serious risks to consumers. One such risk is the | | | | Zicam Problems Cited by the FDA |
| loss of smell (anosmia) - a serious and potentially | | | | In a letter to Matrixx, the FDA stated that: |
| permanent condition. The FDA said that it had | | | | - Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel and two additional |
| received more than 130 reports of anosmia | | | | zinc-containing Zicam products are not generally |
| associated with Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel and | | | | recognized as safe and effective |
| two other Zicam products, and it's possible that | | | | - The products are marketed without FDA approval |
| hundreds of additional cases have been reported to | | | | - The products do not contain adequate warnings |
| Matrixx Initiatives, Inc., which owns Zicam. | | | | about the risk of loss of smell and are misbranded |
| Consumers who are in possession of Zicam Cold | | | | - In addition to loss of smell, some individuals have |
| Remedy Nasal Gel are urged to discontinue use | | | | also reported experiencing loss of taste after using |
| immediately. | | | | zinc-containing Zicam products |
| Reporting an Adverse Event | | | | - Other widely used intranasal products - ones that |
| Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel is an intranasal product, | | | | are approved by the FDA - are safer and less side |
| which means it is administered directly into the nose. | | | | effects are reported |
| It is one of Zicam's three over-the-counter, | | | | Contact a Lawyer |
| zinc-containing intranasal products - all of which are | | | | The loss of sense of smell can have devastating |
| marketed as reducing the severity and length of the | | | | effects, particularly in children and those who work in |
| common cold in children and adults. However, this | | | | the food industry. Those who have suffered this side |
| claim is not backed by the FDA and, in fact, in | | | | effect after using Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel may |
| violation of FDA regulations. | | | | be able to take legal action against the product |
| The FDA recommends that consumers who have | | | | manufacturer. Learn more about your legal rights by |
| experienced loss of smell after using Zicam Cold | | | | contacting a medical attorney who has experience in |
| Remedy Nasal Gel contact a physician and report the | | | | these cases. |