Parker, Waichman, Alonso LLP

Home » Topics » Defective Drugs » Zicam

Injured by Zicam?

Zicam, the popular Zinc nasal cold gel, has been linked to a condition known as Anosmia. Anosmics cannot detect scents or smells of any kind, and the loss of smell greatly reduces the sense of taste. In addition to not being able to taste food, Anosmia is a dangerous condition, as the sense of smell and taste alert people to fires, poisonous fumes, and leaking gas.

Zicam Research
Zicam is an intranasal zinc solution. Intranasal zinc has been known to kill the ability to smell by both animals and people for many years. For years there had been no use of intranasal zinc in humans. However, because Zinc products fall under the homeopathic provision of FDA laws, these products are not required to get FDA approval before they hit the market. Studies have shown that Zinc nasal cold sprays and gels, like Zicam, not only have dangerous side effects but are ineffective against the colds. While two placebo-controlled trials found that intranasal zinc gluconate modestly shortened the duration of cold symptoms, two other placebo-controlled studies found intranasal zinc to be of no benefit.  In the most rigorously controlled of these studies, intranasal zinc gluconate did not affect the severity or duration of cold symptoms in volunteers inoculated with rhinovirus, a common cause of colds. These studies did find evidence of anosmia and warned about the condition. The reports stated that since zinc-associated anosmia may be irreversible, intranasal zinc preparations should be avoided.

How Zicam Anosmia Affects your Taste
Taste and smell are very strongly linked. You can smell without tasting, but your taste is greatly affected if you cannot smell. Opening your nostrils allows food vapor to flow to reach your olfactory epithelium. The flavor of food is a combination of its temperature, its texture (that means how it feels inside the mouth), its appearance, its taste (meaning salty, bitter, sour, or sweet) and its aroma as perceived by the sense of smell. The sense of smell plays a major role in the flavor of foods and it is common for individuals who lose their sense of smell to report that food loses its taste. While technically loosing your sense of smell does not mean you lose your taste, it does mean you loose your ability to detect and enjoy flavor.

About Zicam
Zicam is manufactured by Matrixx Initiatives, Inc. Matrixx Initiatives produces, markets and sells Zicam Cold Remedy nasal gel, Zicam Allergy Relief nasal gel, Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs, Zicam Kids Size Cold Remedy Swabs, Zicam Extreme Congestion Relief, Zicam Sinus Relief, and Zicam Nasal Moisturizer.

Legal Help for Zicam Victims
If you or a loved one has used Zicam and suffered side effects, please fill out the form at the right for a free case evaluation by a qualified drug side effects attorney.  Alternatively please feel free to call 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636) to speak with someone from the firm immediately.