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Zicam Cold News: Lawyers Highlight Study on Danger of Certain Zinc-based products

Report finds use of Zicam nasal cold remedy with zinc could irreversibly damage sense of smell

Our Zicam lawyers would like to alert the public to growing scientific evidence that use of nasal cold remedies with zinc such as Zicam may have a devastating effect on smell, one of the vital five senses. Now comes yet another study finding Zicam could cause loss of smell or “anosmia,” which, in turn, can negatively impact a person’s ability to taste.

“Many of our clients believed the FDA had evaluated Zicam before it reached the market,” said Weitz & Luxenberg partner Robert Gordon. “In fact, Zicam products were not regulated or approved by the FDA because they were listed as homeopathic treatments that use natural ingredients. Mounting evidence from the scientific community is proving Zicam with zinc should never have been sold. Some trusting users are now paying a price with their health.”

So-called “homeopathic” intranasal products marketed to treat the common cold, sinus pressure and allergies are highly popular with consumers, this despite the many unanswered questions about their safety and effectiveness. This troubling fact prompted researchers at the University of Washington to investigate Zicam, as well as several other common nasal sprays, to determine their impact.

“Zicam-Induced Damage to Mouse and Human Nasal Tissue,” published in the October 2009 issue of PLosOne, examined short- and long-term effects of several popular intranasal products, including: Afrin, Nasacort, lidocaine and epinephrine, which are often used by physicians, and one homeopathic zinc-based product, Zicam. Only one of these was found to significantly disrupt the sense of smell.

“Our results demonstrate that Zicam use could irreversibly damage mouse and human nasal tissue and my lead to significant smell dysfunction,” the research group concluded.

These findings come on the heels of other similar scientific reports, as well as a warning letter the Food and Drug Administration sent on June 16, 2009 to Zicam maker Matrixx Initiatives, Inc. stating, “A significant and growing body of evidence substantiates that the Zicam Cold Remedy intranasal products may pose a serious risk to consumers who use them.”

The FDA issued a recall, alerting the public that that Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel, Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs, and Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs, Kids Size, a discontinued product that consumers may still have in their homes, have all been associated with long-lasting or permanent loss of smell.

Since the introduction of Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel to the market in 1999, FDA has received more than 130 reports of anosmia associated with the use of Zicam zinc-containing intranasal products. Many people state that the loss of sense of smell occurred with the first dose of the Zicam product, although some people report it happened after later doses. People who have been harmed by Zicam may obtain a free Zicam lawsuit review by completing the form below.

see also:

Matrixx Zicam News Update | Weitz & Luxenberg
Loss of smell or taste? Free Zicam legal review with our law firm

FDA News Zicam FDA News Information | Weitz & Luxenberg
Zicam Lawsuit: Discuss your loss of smell with a leading drug lawyer

Zicam Zicam Personal Injury Lawyer | Weitz & Luxenberg
Get a free lawsuit review from a Zicam lawyer if you sustained anosmia