ZICAM RAISING A STINK?

January 12, 2011 by

Zicam is a popular over-the-counter medication that had reported 2008 sales of $40 million on the claim that it “reduces the duration and severity of cold symptoms.”  Unfortunately,  the FDA said it has never seen actual proof of this claim. Zicam is marketed as a homeopathic product, and is therefore not subject to FDA approval prior to launching it for sale on the market for unwary consumers to purchase and use.

Zicam is taken via prepared gel swabs applied into the nostrils. Recently, it was discovered that Zicam’s active ingredient, zinc, can be toxic to nasal nerve receptors.   Use of the product has been linked to hundreds of cases where the consumer has experienced the loss of his or her sense of smell.  Consequently, in June 2009 the FDA issued a warning to consumers to cease using the three Zicam products:

  • Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel
  • Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs
  • Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs, Kids Size (a discontinued product)

The loss of sense of smell can adversely affect a person’s quality of life, and can limit the ability to detect the smell of gas or smoke or other signs of danger in the environment.  This was stated in the FDA’s warning.

If you or someone you know has experienced the loss of sense of smell as a result of using any of the above-listed Zicam product, please fee free to contact this office to speak directly with me.  I can assist you in determining whether there may be a viable legal claim against the manufacturer of this defective product.  To contact me directly, click here.

Filed under Drugs, Zicam