Update to Zicam Story
Monday December 11, 2006
You may have read my recent article about Zicam and whether or not it may cause people to lose their sense of smell. There is also an email circulating that makes this claim.
I recently spoke with a representative for Zicam about the story and the lawsuit. I have updated my Zicam article with some new information. While there is still not a definitive answer to this question, you may be interested to know that several studies were conducted and have been submitted for publication in various medical journals. They all came to the conclusion that Zicam cannot cause a person to lose their sense of smell. So check out the article and then post your thoughts.
6/16/09 FDA Believes Zicam May Cause Permanent Loss of the Sense of Smell
The FDA announced on June 16, 2009 that all intranasal products produced by Zicam containing zinc should be discarded immediately and no longer used or marketed. After receiving over 130 complaints from people who have lost their sense of smell after using these products, they have issued a warning for everyone to discontinue use of these products. If you believe your sense of smell was affected after using Zicam, you should first contact your healthcare provider and then notify the FDA.
Comments
Your research is interesting but it doesnt change the fact that I can no longer smell after using Zicam!
You talked to the president of a PR firm representing the makers of the product in question? Now you’re convinced that the case is pretty weak? He’d tell you ANYTHING! You realize that if he suggested that the defendants even /might/ be right, his company will be fired immediately? What possible reply could he give? Does he have any medical credibility to protect? Does he have anything to loose if he does lie?
Seriously, gullible.
-Jonathan Eisch
I am sorry that you feel I was swayed so much by the representative I spoke to. In fact, I did not just take his word for everything he said. I had seen no evidence to support either side of the argument prior to speaking with him. There have been many people who have claimed that Zicam caused them to lose their sense of smell. Unfortunately, there have been no clinical trials to back up this claim. In the absence of any clinical trials, there is no proof, because the loss of smell could have been a result of several factors, not just the use of Zicam. I came to this conclusion as a result of the medical knowledge that I have and the clinical trials I was told of by the gentleman from the PR firm. If I find evidence to support the loss of smell by Zicam, I will certainly report on it as well.
Let me be clear, I still do not support the use of this product. I do not believe it is effective or worth the potential risk, if one does in fact exist.
Matrixx should have never settle those lawsuits.
THat action gave every net nanny in the world the opportunity to yell: its dangerous tell your friends, and run tell the king the sky is falling.
Frankly very few of these people have bothered to any scientific research, and
usually settle crying FIRE… preferably in a crowed Movie theatre
WOW! In the past have sworn by Zicam and it’s effectiveness for me. I was referred to it 4 years ago by my midwife who’s family had successfully used it for years. I don’t think a cold is worth the risk of losing my sense of smell for life. I’d appreciate more people responding who have had this happen to them. Or others who have lost their sense of smell…after a cold. Is it possible?
2-19-07
Dear Readers:
I will tell you that I am one of the many who have lost their sense of smell and taste from what I firmly believe was a one time use of Zicam Nasal Gel. It was inadvertently inhaled into the upper nose. However, not doing so is completely different from every other intranasal product on the market which is supposed to be inhaled. While Matrixx may hide behind the claim that it was not intended to be administered that way. They should: 1) Have a warning and “in case of emergency” procedure on the bottle to inform the user what to do in the event it is inhaled. 2). If the product is dangerous to the tissue of the upper nose, then it should not be administered anywhere near the upper nose, (this includes any part of the inner nose cavity, upper or lower)! Would you expect mouth wash to harm your lips or stomach if some of it came into contact with these adjacent tissues? Statistically the risk is far too great to completely disregard this possibility as Matrixx sheepishly has. According to a recent press release, Matrixx has hired a so called Scientific Advisory Board on their payroll. I would not trust anything from individuals or a panel that is being compensated by the manufacturer, regardless of their credentials. This in my opinion, it should be as much common sense as the saying of the “fox guarding the henhouse”. Listen, we live in an age of walking on the moon, fiber optics and microscopic surgery procedures. We should easily be able to get a group of objective and unbiased researchers to determine once and for all if this stuff is as dangerous I believe it is. My acid test would be for the president of Matrixx to stand on stage and sniff the stuff up his nose and then tell the rest of us that loosing his two senses is simply coincidental to having a cold or some dormant allergy which has coincidentally becoming active on the same day he used Zicam. There are numerous opportunities to contribute enough doubt about the charges against Matrixx to allow them to continue to make big money as long as they can. This should not obscure the bottom line that this product is very dangerous. We need independent science here from uninterested parties. For me, this is not about some financial payoff. This is about ethical practices on marketing a loosely researched theory that zinc gluconate might relieve a cold. In the rush to make profits and take advantage of a loophole in the lack of the FDA’s jurisdiction, many have and I fear many more will suffer. I bet somewhere you can find a scientist who was on the W.R. Grace payroll that will swear that asbestos is still harmless!
dkr5863
I have been using Zicam for over 3 years and am convinced by its effectiveness in reducing the length and severity of a cold. The first time I used it, I didn’t read the directions and inhaled as I squirted it in my nose, and it indeed burned. But after using it the way that it was intended, it is painless, and it works, at least for me. I found that it is most effective if I take it as soon as I feel a cold coming on. I carry a vial in my backpack, keep one in my dest at work, and have one on my bathroom counter. It is also important to continue it for a few days after. I am going on vacation next week and I am taking it as a precaution. I don’t know if it is supposed to work to prevent colds, but I have had absolutely no bad effects from Zicam, so what the heck. My only complaint is that it is expensive, especially if you are like me and keep multiple vials handy. Oh yeah, and I can still smell fine. YMMV.
Kevin,
Consider yourself lucky! There are many people who smoke tobacco all their lives and never develop lung cancer. Nevertheless, that does not diminish the fact that it is a known carcinogen. However, unlike tobacco which requires years of repeated use. Zicam took my sense of taste and smell after only one time of inhaling. I have always been a fan of homeopathic products, however since having been damaged by Zicam, I think the FDA needs to require independent validation before allowing a company’s “theory” product to be available to the public. Enjoy the smell of your coffee this morning. Thanks to Zicam, I no longer can!
So is the alleged loss of smell attributed to some kind of allergy to one of the ingredients, or just using it incorrectly and getting it into your upper nasal passages? All the sotries I have read involved using the gel. Are there any reports of the nasal swabs or oral spray causing the same effects??
I have a small average size nose, but slightly below average nasal passages. I’ve been using Zicam swabs for many months averaging use at about once a week. I’ve experienced no change in my sense of smell, but have beaten the cold virus many times. I think it’s great.
I have had sinus problems for 25 years, long before Zicam came on the market. It started when I hit the age of 30. From that point on, when I got a bad cold I would lose my sense of smell and it would not return for some time.
I did NOT use Zicam then, it wasn’t on the market, so my experience can’t be blamed on Zicam. And I don’t think that the loss of smell of those that did use Zicam — was caused by Zicam. It just happens eventually, as we age. The sinuses don’t bounce back after an illness like they did when we were children. The sinuses stay inflamed longer — which blocks the openings to the smell sensory glands, which are way up in there (check out the inside workings of the nose and sinuses).
What brought back my sense of smell fastest was eliminating milk products (adds to congestion)and foods with sugar (increases the reoccurence of sinus problems.)
In time, if you take care and make sure you do everything possible (naturally) to avoid getting sick and having sinus infections — your sense of smell will return.
Another factor to consider is that if you are deficient in the mineral zinc, that can also add to your loss of smell. Interestingly enough, I believe there is zinc in Zicam.
My personal experience with Zicam (the last two years) is that it improves my sense of smell (use extreme congestion relief). Using a regular sinus decongestant sends me into orbit with burning, but the aloe vera in Zicam is very soothing.
Personally, Zicam could be a sure-fire cure for the common cold. Fine. I’m pleased they’ve made the discovery…BUT not at the cost of dispensing a product on the market that is capable of permanently damaging the human olfactory area…especially without ANY type of warning on the label. Kristina, have you talked with the REAL experts? Like let’s say, clinical taste and smell doctors??? Just about every doctor in that field is convinced intranasal zinc gluconate can cause olfaction damage. Several have done studies to back up what they’re saying.
Those clinical trials you were told of by the PR firm were all funded by the makers of Zicam. Did you know that the makers of Cold-eeze Zinc lozenges discontinued their zinc nasal spray (one that attempted to compete with Zicam)? Users had several lawsuits against them, too. It goes on and on. Until thorough safety testing – not funded by the makers of these products -is conducted, you can forget about ever getting to the truth about whether intranasal zinc gluconate can cause olfaction damage when it is instilled directly on the human olfactory region. At this time, it all boils down to who you are more inclined to believe; the efficacy studies funded by zinc nasal spray companies that were never intended to be safety studies or the findings of clinical taste and smell doctors. I recall that there was one actual safety study conducted AFTER the heat came down…and oh, what a surprise. It was funded by guess who…a zinc nasal spray company.
It’s simple. No one seems to care enough about the senses of taste and smell to conduct comprehensive safety studies. Heck, the FDA and the public seem to care more about food safety of dogs and cats than they do about whether two of the five human senses of a human being can be permanently damaged by a homeopathic cold remedy…that is…unless it happens to THEM!
I am a pharmacist and a faculty member at a school of pharmacy. There is no way that somewhat rare side effects will be picked up in a clinical trial so for the company to defend its product that way is HOGWASH. If this side effect occurs with deep inhalation, it is way to risky to be on the market.
Ed, Thanks for your comment. I firmly believe the key is the strong inhalation of the product by the user and not whether a bottle is altered to keep it from shooting up the nose too far. (although, I’m sure that doesn’t exactly help matters). Sniffing the zinc goop as it is squirted is a potentially dangerous combination for certain users. The problem with this situation is that animal testing isn’t sufficient enough to determine if itposes a potential safety threat to humans. Even if they conducted legitimate safety testing on zinc nasal cold remedies, you’ll never find human volunteers that would be willing to allow zinc gluconate (in the form that is currently on the shelves) to be instilled directly on the olfactory region of the nose.
It’s almost like a catch 22. The scientific community does not test it properly..because no one is willing to be a living guinea pig. And I might add that the national media has done little to light a fire under the FDA or the outfits that enable this stuff to be on the market….with no FDA approval. On a technicality, they have found a way to slip through the cracks of FDA scutiny.
The threat of losing your sense of smell by using Zicam is in the same ballpark as global warning. A FARCE!
I used Zicam for the first time last night. Now shame on me for not reading the instructions but if you buy a nose spray…you usually sniff it. Right? I was in such extreme pain within 30 minutes of using it that I almost took myself to the ER. The burning was so intense I could feel it up my nose, throughout my head, behind my ears and into my neck. So do I believe you could lose sense of smell? Absolutely! I think it has burned my sinus passages from just one use. Don’t use this medication! It’s not worth the risk or the pain!
My wife and I have used this product for years, and it’s worked with no problem. Knowing what I know about the compound it’s safe to say that it’s inability to dissolve to nerve endings is documented. But we like to sue just about everything here in America.
hey! i have migraines, and ive been to several doctors who cannot find out why. well, ive used Zicam for several years, the same time i began getting migraines. for the past two years, i have noticed a cold sensation in my nose, kind of like, as if i had Vick’s vapor rub under my nose, so when I inhale, it feels cold, causing my head to hurt after a while.. im beginning to link this cold sensation and migrain to the Zicam, however I can still smell; at times my taste is different; im wondering if anyone else has had the cold sensation in their nose before and if its caused from Zicam. because the doctors have no idea why it feels cold when i inhale…someone HELP!
I have never had any problems with Zycam and have used it for years. Its the only thing that shortens the length of my cold. Try reading the instructions before using the product people..
“Try reading the instructions before using the product people” -Sarah
Are you implying that if you don’t read and follow “Zycam” instructions that there is something about this product that could harm someone if they don’t follow the instructions? It’s homeopathic. The FDA gave zinc a free pass decades ago!
I am a first time user of Zicam, and so far it has helped me. I can still smell, and did read the instructions as I do with EVERY medication I take..as everyone else should. If you have “inadvertantly” sniffed this substance up your nose because you lack the common sense to read instructions, it’s not the company’s fault that you have damaged your sense of anything, especially common sense. Everyone is looking for someone else to blame for their stupidity/lack of judgement..etc, ecept for themselves. It’s time to look to ourselves for responsibility for our actions. You do anything in your life with a risk, and if you take the risk and something happens, you should be the one taking the blame. I’m sure that there are some out there who have lost their sense of smell due to use of this product, but I doubt there as many as have claimed, and if there are, it’s because they didn’t follow directions. I’m sorry, but we are grown ups…let’s stop blaming everyone else.
I say again…after reading the rest of these comments..IF YOU READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AND FOLLOW DIRECTIONS YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE THE PROBLEMS YOU HAVE/HAD!!! Geez, are we as stupid as we seem? The manufacturer puts the directions on their products for a reason, so you will use it as you are supposed to. I read it and remember it specifically stating…do not sniff after using this product as this may cause irritation. Am I the only one who reads directions on the package of medications? I shake my head in amazement at the comments I read and am truly embarassed for all of those who say, I didn’t read the instructions…was in extreme pain…and warn against using the product because of their own stupidity!!! Grow Up!!
Well done, Barbara. And these individuals unwilling to take personal responsibility are the same ones who will put Hillary in office.
Zycam works.
My husband used Zicam for the first time on Friday, October 5, 2007. Right away, he experienced great pain and pressure throughout his head. He could barely sleep that night because of the pain. On Saturday morning, he went to take a shower. He uses a strong smelling man’s liquid soap. He noticed he could NOT smell it like usual. He put it close to his nose….nothing. He tried to smell other shampoos….still nothing. He has not been able to smell anything since using Zicam. He has tried to smell EVERYTHING including bleach. DO NOT USE ZICAM!!!!!!!! The loss of his smell has affected his sense of taste!!! I had always heard great things about Zicam. My father uses it!!!! I feel incredibly guilty about this, b/c I am the one who bought Zicam for my husband. You just dont know how your body will react to certain products. We all have slightly different chemical make-ups!!
Oh….by the he used the product as stated on the packaging. And I would never vote for Hillary!
Well…Im sorry to hear about folks bad experiences with zicam. I swear by the oral tablets! Ive never used the nasal-but I was sick as a dog 2 days ago–have been taking the oral tabs as usual, and now I feel great. I love Zicam!
Barbara, You keep harping about the instruction. If you understood the history of the Zicam situation, you would know that AFTER the olfaction issue came to the company’s attention, they changed their Directions for Use to say, “Do not sniff”. When the product was first launched, the directions stated, “It is not necessary to sniff the gel…” What does the latter statement imply, Barbara? It implies that you can go ahead and sniff it if you want to because at the time, they had no knowledge of any potential dangers with intranasal ionized zinc causing olfaction and other sensitive cell damage. Why did the instructions even NEED to be changed if the product is safe? Was it changed in part because they became aware “the problem”? Was the nasal tip later changed to reduce the incidences of “the problem”? The company as done a magnificent job of buffering itself from the dirty little secret about intranasal ionized zinc. The less that the public and the media know about that, the better. What would solve the whole matter is if they’d place a warning somewhere in the packaging. Not enough saftey studies have been performed on intranasal zinc to declare it is completely safe when who knows how many people have stated they have experienced some sort of olfaction damamge as a result of using it. If you read their stories, these people aren’t nut cases. They’re normal people like you and me.
I’m using the Zicam oral ‘quick disolve’ tabs this week. They taste terrible and leave my tongue feeling weird for hours. Plus, it seems that Zicam only works well if taken at the very first sign of a cold, not once you are actually sick. After reading both sides of the issue and taking Zicam myself, here’s the way I see it as of now- the only ingredients in Zycam products are forms of zinc, so why not just buy a month’s worth of zinc pills for $5 instead of buying Zicam at $10-$12 per week and possibly risking some side-effects?
Regarding the heated debate- I think it’s great if someone loves Zicam and it works wonders for them… and by the same token, if someone had a terrible experience with Zicam, how can anyone else tell them they are wrong and stupid? It is important and healthy to share experiences and information, but hateful judgements about another person’s experience accomplishes nothing. We each must make up our own minds about what works best for our own bodies. Therefore, I feel that no one has the right to tell someone else that their decision is wrong.
Does anyone know the details of the Zicam suits or the METHODS by which people who report anosmia (complete or partial) are using the product? I just used one of the new swab-type applicators last night, the first time I’ve ever used Zicam, and now I’m freaking terrified.
JC, What’s important is for the facts to be out there. Of course, no one has the right to tell you what to do. Read all my previous comments. I’m just saying that intranasal zinc, if used in the wrong way, poses a potential danger. Taste and smell doctors have publicly stated for quite some time now that if the product comes in contact with the olfactory region in the upper nose it capable of causing damage to one extent or the other. You can make the choice to use it. Just be sure to use it safely. Don’t use the original sprayer and by all means, regardless of swabs or spray, DO NOT sniff the product deeply up the nose. Let’s face it, when you have a cold, sniffing is almost involuntary. People have paid the price for sniffing it deeply up the nose. The key thing I’ll leave you with is that there is no warning on the package or label and there may never be because that would have a devastating effect on sales. Just be careful. VERY careful.
Maybe some people are allergic to it in some way. I’ve used the Zicam nasal gel for more than five years, and if anything, my sense of smell has improved. I have small kids so I’m regularly exposed to their colds and Zicam works great, preventing the cold almost every time.
Well, I used Zicam nose swab last night for the very first time. Today, I can smell but my nose feels full and yet, it’s not. When I breath in through my nose I don’t feel the air but I can still smell. It feels as if I had a shot of novocaine and the inside of my nose is numb. Very odd. I think the only stupid thing I did was not go online and do my research before using this product. I always do that, I always go online and read up on things before using them but I thought, it’s been on the market a while and it’s only zinc (which I’ve used in lozenger form many times before)and I’m it’s a swab not a spray, so how dangerous can it be. I’m not happy!!!
I’ve been using Zicam for colds for years without any problems. I do believe all these people who say they lost their smell after sniffing the gel and that is unfortunate. However, I certainly hope zicam is not pulled from the market. Adding warnings is one thing, but I don’t want a nanny to keep things that work for me out of my hands.
by reading all the comments on this article, it is obvious that everyone who commented doesn’t know that the active ingredient in Zicam is the same active ingredient in Neutersol (Zinc Gluconate). Neutersol is used by veretinarians to sterilize male dogs. They take this chemical and inject it into the testicles of male dogs to kill the reproductive system. If this chemical can kill the semen cells in a male dog than why is it so hard to think that it can damage the very delicate tissue in the nasal cavity? the original Zicam Nasal Gel applicator bottle looked exactly like an inhaler. It had a little hole at the very tip that projected the gel at such force that it was able to reach 7-10 feet. Why is it so hard to believe that it wouldn’t be able to reach the 2 inches from your nostral to your upper epiphilium? Since then, Zicam changed the design of the applicator so that there are 5 holes AROUND the side of the tip so that the gel is not directed straight up. if it is safe than why did Zicam change the design. After they changed the design, reported injuries have dropped dramatically. this product is dangerous. I personally have been affected. I’am one of the unlucky ones who used the older style bottle. Im in litigation with Matrixx (makers of Zicam) at the present time. just the other day, the judge who is going to reside over my case had dismissed Matrixx’s motion for a preliminary judgement. This is a victory for ALL who were affected because there finally is a judge who is willing to hear complaints about Zicam. I manage a restaurant and used to do restaurant reviews for a couple local papers here in my city and no longer can do that. Using Zicam took that away from me. It completely changed my life. I have been through hell with pain and many doctor visits and catscans and steroids and bi-daily nasal irrigations with saline. Its been over 2 1/2 years since my injury from Zicam and still i suffer. My family and friends suffer from seeing me so miserable and depressed. I’ve withdrawn from social activities because im sick of telling people “No, I don’t have a cold. I just sound that way because my olfactory epiphilium has been destroyed and now i have constant conjestion.” I pray everyday that no one else has to go though the hell that i’ve experience for the past 2 1/2 years. Especially the ones who say that those who sniffed it are stupid. Mostly because of the humiliation they would feel for using it after we told them not to.
It says right on the bottle “do not inhale”. It is only to be used in the tip of the nostril. The impression I get from most of these people and the email, which refers to it as a “gel nasal spray”, is that they have inhaled the product. You only need to put a bit inside the tip of the nostril. As a matter of fact, it used to be sold on cotton swabs. I just sqeeze some onto a cotton swab to apply it. It does work when taken at the first sign. You should always read the bottle when you use any type of medication.
Yes, you are right. It says not to inhale but it didn’t on the original bottle before they redesigned it. As a matter of fact, it didn’t have any dangers listed on the bottle. Nor did it have any first aid directions in case of accidental inhalation. And why does it say NOT to inhale if they claim that it is safe? I used it as directed (Original applicator) but so much of the “gel” came out and flooded my nostral. so much so that i was afraid it would drip out onto my shirt. So what does the average person do when they feel that thier nose is gonna drip? Natural reflex would compel you sniff. I take it that the ones who claimed we used it wrong didn’t see the original packaging. After they changed the design, reported Zicam injuries dropped like a rock. I unfortunately used the original bottle and have been in a living hell for the past 2 1/2 years. It took me 3 seconds to use a product that destroyed my entire life. I pray that none of you doubters are permanently damaged by a reckless pharmecautical company that would rather have your dollar than keep you safe. Just don’t say that you haven’t been warned.
Kristina, what you have to realize is that EVERY SINGLE STUDY WAS FUNDED BY MATRIXX!! Not very independent, is it??
However, I will be the first to admit that Zicam really does have an effect on the common cold (does nothing for e with the flu). HOWEVER, ZICAM CAN ABSOLUTELY DAMAGE YOUR SENSE OF SMELL. I am one of the biggest skeptics in the world, but have experienced this about 2-3 years ago. I have used Zicam for a couple of years before the incident. I will admit that I administered the dose incorrectly, aiming for my upper nasal passage. I too, for the first time when using Zicam, felt an intense burning and pain in my sinuses, but made nothing of it. I didn’t notice that my sense of smell was gone due to y completely congested nose, until later in the evening, when I could not taste anything. Nothing! No smell (which I as not yet even aware of due to my cold) , no taste. Googling Zicam and loss of taste, I ran into hundreds of articles about Zicam and the loss of smell.
To make a long story short, I turned out to be one of the lucky ones, and have only lost about 10-20% of my sense of smell permanently, getting my sense of taste back only months later. It took a whole year for my sense of smell to come back to about 80%, and that is where it has remained since. Interestingly, some smells (like garlic for example) now have the aroma completely different than what I smelled before.
I still use Zicam, believe it or not, because it works. However, let this be a lesson to every user: DO NOT ALLOW THE GEL TO TOUCH ANY PART OF YOUR UPPER NASAL PASSAGE.
And for the skeptic… try this… spray some of the gel onto an open wound (don’t inject it into your body, just spray some if it topically; it will disinfect the area). OUCH!?!? Kind of like alcohol, huh?? Well, thats what it does to the nerves in your nose!
I have used Zicam for many years and it has worked very well in shortening the duration of a cold. My sense of smell is just as good as it ever was so I will continue to use Zicam. The key is to FOLLOW the directions and apply Zicam to just inside the nasal passages. I have NO sympathy for those who used it like nasal sprays. If you use a tool without reading HOW to use it and become injured you only have yourself to blame. I wonder if I can extort money out of the Listerine company by using it as an eye wash?
I was wondering why I lost my smell after using zicam. Interesting. I thought it was a sign of early alzheimers.
Katn
follow the instructions, dumbasses.
here’s the deal. I looked this up after my wife completely lost her sense of smell and taste last week and we couldn’t figure out why. Is there something to it? Absolutely! She lost both senses after using the zicam nose spray exactly as directed. This is simply exactly what happened.
I used Zicam last Sunday 2/3/2008 around midnight. I used the intra-nasal pump. Being so late, and tired, my nose was completely congested, a few minutes later I inhaled to clear up my nose and that was it. I guess I was too stupid for trying to get all this congestion and forgetting I had put Zicam on.
The burning was unbearable, my brain was on fire, and it lasted until 4 am. Could not sleep at all, just wanted to scream.
The next morning my sinuses were so irritated it hurt to just breath. It was that day that I realized I couldn’t smell anything. Went to the ER that night after leaving my baby with husband. Got anti-biotics and prednisone.
Today, almost 5 days later, I still can’t smell a thing. I love coffee, but now I just might drink water cause they taste the same.
I am glad for all of you that had used this product and has “shorten” your cold, but the sad truth is a cold is not worth your sense of smell.
I just came back from my Dr., he said there is nothing to do but just wait to see if it comes back. I hope someday I can smell my baby girl again.
I personally have used Zicam 3 times in my life and the last time was Super Bowl sunday 2008…6 days ago…and even since then i have not been able to taste or smell.
I am so scared…i was a cook but now can’t due to the not being able to taste or smell…and i have a little baby girl that I cant even smell after she takes a lavender bath.
It is ridiculous that with out clinical studies no one believes this is happening to people…until it happens to you…you should trust the people who are scared like crazy over maybe never being able to smell anything again…little own tasting food. Thanks to the wonderful product Zicam.
I dont even know if this will be temporary which i am praying for, or permanent. I dont even know who to contact to deal with this. I dont have the money to go get tons of tests done on myself.
Please listen to my warning….do not risk using this product it could change your life completely in one use.
The Very Concerned Jessica Richmond Feb. 9th, 2008
Jessica,
It’s being over a week now for me and no hint of smell. I went to my PCP last week and he said there is nothing to do but wait. Well, I am pushing to get to an ENT specialist. This is just ridiculous, I never heard of Zicam doing this until it happened to me. Please, to all those that have been affected by Zicam, go to the FDA page and fill out a n adverse report, it’s the only way we can let them know. Here is the link
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/medwatch-online.htm
It will be one year at the end of this month after using Zicam, and still no sense of smell or taste, completely gone! My Neurologist said if my sense of smell and taste did not come back within a year, it was permanent damage. I am so angry about this. The FDA should have looked into this years ago, and took it off the market. Maybe I would not have used it last year.
I am a professional homeopath. THIS PRODUCT SAYS IT IS “HOMEOPATHIC BUT IT IS NOT!” The Zinc ingredient in these cold medicines IS NOT prepared according to the Homeopathic Pharmacopea of the United State (HPUS). It is listed as Zinc gluconate on all the information that I can find. If it contained a homeopathic dilution of zinc, the ingredient would be listed as: Zincum gluconicum HPUS 30C (as example of a potency). Furthermore, the zinc is combined with other non-homeopathic substances that further detract it from the classification of “homeopathic”. Most ironically, in some of the product line, menthol, which is known to antidote many of the highly diluted homeopathic preparations including zinc, is an included ingredient. Zicam products deliver a material dose of zinc as opposed to a homeopathic dose that is very diluted and succussed (a process of shaking that alters the dilution through kinetic energy). In fact the homeopathic dilution is so reduced that it is most frequently given in doses that chemically have no traceable molecules of the original substance – nanopharmacology! This process eliminates the toxic affects of the substance but allows it safe medicinal use. Homeopathic remedies are VERY PRECISELY RECOMMENDED according to a principle called the “Law of Similars” which simply means that a substance that can cause a set of symptoms can cure a set of similar symptoms as presented in the ill person.
Homeopathic research tests substances on healthy people to see what disorders are evoked by the substance, ie. IT’S AFFECTS. In the selection of a medicine in homeopathy, called a “remedy” the evidence is paired to the patient’s pathology as presented: physically, mentally, and emotionally. In the research of zinc, STRONG REFERENCE IS MADE FOR BOTH LOSS OF SMELL AND TASTE. I do not doubt these symptoms are being caused from the material doses of Zinc. I suggest sufferers of Zicam seek a professional homeopath or at least try a homeopathic preparation of Zinc at the 30C potency to assist your body is ridding the toxic dose that you consumed.
This company appears to have misleadingly…fraudulently…borrowed the term “homeopathic” and furthered the confusion by calling the medicine a cold “remedy”. Natural substances prepared according to the HPUS criteria are called “remedies”. Homeopathy is often wrongfully confused with treatment of “natural” or “organic” substance; this is correctly termed Naturopathy. While the substances of homeopathy are indeed natural, they differ radically in the precise selection of a A SINGLE SUBSTANCE to the SPECIFIC character of the illness according to the LAW OF SIMILARS, and are given in extremely small doses as described in the ultramolecular dilution above. THIS FACT SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE LAW SUITE AGAINST ZICAM.
JUST AFTER MY LARGE EXPOSE….
I FOUND A WEB-SITE THAT DOES STATE THAT THE INGREDIENT IN ZICAM IS OF HOMEOPATHIC POTENCY…the term describing just how diluted the substance is though I could not find this on their official site: zicam.com
Zicam’s chief ingredients are Zincum Gluconicum 1X and Zincum Aceticum 2X.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/22433/airbornetm_versus_zicamtm.html
However, a 1X means that it has been diluted at a 1:10 ratio
The 2X means the 1:10 dilution has occurred twice over…THESE ARE VERY LOW POTENCIES THAT ARE VERY NEAR THE MATERIAL DOSE.
Searching on the official website: zicam.com I did not find one mention of the above state homeopathic dilution. Furthermore, in the list of active ingredients, they rarely even listed the zinc ingredient. All in all…ZICAM IS NOT A TRUE HOMEOPATHIC REMEDY AND THE LOW POTENCY CAN STILL EVOKE THESE SYMPTOMS. On a positive note, if they have been prepared as this site says, the possibility for recovering smell and taste is all the better.
the commentor “Zicam Rules” is obviously an employee of the makers of Zicam… i urge ALL who have been victimized by this product to first file a report with the FDA and the consult a “product liability” lawyer… and when you talk to you lawyer, DO NOT hide behind the fact that you followed the directions on how to use this product and let him know that you DID sniff this product… you will be just fine legally by letting them know this… and you will be compinsated for your suffering by this VERY dangerous product… this commentor “ZICAM RULES” says to “follow the instructions, dumbasses” is an insult from an employee of Matrix (makers of Zicam). I would rather be a dumbass and a monster that says this product is safe… If this product is so safe than why do they say not to sniff it? and why did they also change the design of the bottle? These LIARS need to pay for the hell that they imposed on the victims that used thier product… please file your complaint to the FDA and then get yourself a lawyer.
quote:["I have used Zicam for many years and it has worked very well in shortening the duration of a cold. My sense of smell is just as good as it ever was so I will continue to use Zicam. The key is to FOLLOW the directions and apply Zicam to just inside the nasal passages. I have NO sympathy for those who used it like nasal sprays. If you use a tool without reading HOW to use it and become injured you only have yourself to blame. I wonder if I can extort money out of the Listerine company by using it as an eye wash?"]:quote
DITTO!
It is sad that some people on this forum have lost their sense of smell. I’ve been using Zicam the last 3 days and have used it with multiple colds. I’m not really sure how much therapeutic benefit I get out of it but anything is better than nothing as I have severe asthma and usually a cold lasts me 2-3 weeks during the winter by the time I rid myself of the cough. Here’s the thing – I truly believe that many of the people that have lost their sense of smell did not read the directions on Zicam correctly or maybe at all. Nowhere on the instructions does it say to use the product like a nose spray, it says spray it at an angle in your nose so it hits the sides, tilt your head back, and pinch your nose SO IT DOESN’T GO BACK ANY FARTHER. It’s a gel, for god’s sake people, do you need the instructions to tell you not to spray GEL INTO YOUR NASUM?!!?! NO! The whole frickin reason you’re using the stuff is to shorten the length of the cold and get the mucus out of your nose. Sucks that you guys lost your sense of smell but I’m inclined to agree with Mike. Fine, we all skip reading directions when we are assembling stuff we buy from the store. But this is a medicine people. If you don’t have the common sense to read the directions when you’re putting a foreign substance in your body than you are stupid enough to suffer the consequences of not doing so, plain and simple.
>
Mike, You have my vote for making the most ignorant comment ever on this page. First off, The original bottle was identically designed to ANY other nasal spray bottle; gel or liquid. Did you know that? That is until the makers of Zicam changed the bottle tip design (when the heat started coming down on them, along with the directions for use, which early on said it is “not necessary to sniff the gel” and later changed it to “Do not sniff the gel”. Did you know that?
And second; to draw any kind of comparison between what happened with a nasal spray bottle that typically is used in a customary manner (in other words users sniff the product out of the bottle) and your ridiculous comment about mouth wash being used as an eye wash is exactly as I originally stated: Ignorant.
Know you subject matter before you speak, dude.
Peter K., you are not only ignorant, but illiterate also. No wonder you have problems reading the instructions.
I DID NOT WRITE THAT COMMENT, BUT MERELY QUOTED IT FROM DON ZAPPER# 38.
My response was “Ditto”.
Please learn to read before you shoot off your mouth
To Mike and everyone else on the board: As Mike stated, I failed to see the quote references and the “Ditto” in his post. I sincerely apologize to everyone, but to you, Mike in particular. It was of course “Don Zapper” who originally made the comment and to whom my comment should have been addressed. I’m officially humbled and calmed down now. However, with all due respect, to Don Zapper and you, Mike, I remain disappointed that anyone, could actually draw a litigation parallel between using Listerine as an eyewash and the customary manner that a consumer uses a nasal applicator (sniffing deeply), verses the unorthodox manner that Zicam is applied (Do not sniff). The operative term is “customary manner”. No expects to get blind-sided, particularly from of all things, a “homeopathic” product.
Peter K.,
I am calmed down also after firing off a flaming post too soon. I do not seriously draw a litigation parallel between the two products, however, I have seen too many people misuse and abuse a medical product in an effort to make it “work better”, and then blame the manufacture for any problems from this. The product helps my symptoms when I only put the gel on the rims of my nostrils. Any gel in my nostrils, will work its way to a sinus cavity and cause a burning sensation.
I am only on this forum because the product was recommended to me and I googled it.
I am surprised at the claims of smelling loss. I don’t know enough details to discuss this.
If medical science can prove that this product can cause loss of smell, then this is a very serious issue…….
This is the first I’ve heard of loss of smell issues with Zicam. I’ve been using it for a few years now, starting when living in the States. Now I’m back in my home country of England and found I cannot buy it, nor anything like it here, I wonder why?!?! Perhaps it doesn’t meet British safety standards?
–I have seen too many people misuse and abuse a medical product in an effort to make it “work better”, and then blame the manufacture for any problems from this.–
Mike, your point is well taken and happens all the time, I’m sure. If you would, imagine that you have a cold or allergies that caused your nose to start clogging up so you go out and buy a OTC nasal spray. In most every instance, you either squeeze your new bottle or pull the trigger of the bottle and sniff. EVERY nasal spray – not a few – but every single cold and/or allergy nasal spray works that way…except for one; and you know the one I’m talking about. Why is that? And if it’s so safe, as they maintain it is, then why can’t you sniff it? Will the active ingredients harm every user if they do? Probably not, but it can harm certain people depending on the structure of their nasal passage. The problem is that it can reach the olfactory region of some people and when that happens, that person is at risk of olfaction damage. You don’t need to take my word for it. For starters, here’s a couple of web addresses that will provide you with some extremely credible evidence from a taste and smell doctor and a link demonstrating that the zinc nasal product was a new concept never on the market before and originally developed and marketed by individuals who may have been happy to squeak it past ANY FDA scrutiny. Copy and paste if you can’t click on it. I shortened the second link for convenience sake. Enjoy the reads. Note the diploma mill reference in the second link.
http://www.tasteandsmell.com/apr04.htm
http://tinyurl.com/27nvpv
Peter K.,
Thank you for the links. I did enjoy them.
I certainly appreciate your effort to inform me of this. I surely hope others will take note.
Obviously, hindsight is 20/20,.. but I will not use this product again.
I have re-read the instructions with a different perspective gained from the info you have provided.
They (instructions) are vague, at best, in presenting the potential risks involved in using their product. They also state that burning and stinging are only temporary. To me, pain is an indication that something is wrong.
I also Googled for anything credible I could find to credit the producers of this product, and could not….
And I sincerly apologize for the ridiculous name calling in post # 52.
Despite this info, my friend still swears by this stuff and said not to put it inside my nose. I said I didn’t, but now I don’t want it on my skin at all…..
Mike, thanks for taking a quick look at those pages. The intense burning and stinging really does happen to people and can last for hours before it subsides, but by that time it’s too late. The damage could have occurred. Zinc cold remedies are safe if you use them in lozenge form orally, but I sincerely ask that all users of the zinc gel, especially in the bottle to KEEP THE GEL DOWN LOW IN THE NOSE AND NEVER SNIFF HARD. Sniffing it probably serves no purpose, like you said….”to make the product work better”. The zinc gluconate in zinc nasal products has also been used by verternarians via a syringe to intra-testicularly sterilize dogs. Ironically it had to undergo FDA scrutiny, whereas zinc gluconate nasal sprays and gels for humans did not, because zinc is classified by the FDA as GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe). Check out this product and ask yourself why zinc gluconate is injected in to dog testicles to destroy the ability of a male dog to reproduce. Now if you ask me. If zinc gluconate can do that much damage to a dog’s testicles, then what do you think it might be able to do to the human olfatory region if it gets there??? There was an old website called http://www.neutersol.com but it appears to be gone now. If you Google Neutersol there is still PDFs and other things about it on the web.
It worked like a charm for me, and my sense of smell is just fine. No burning, no stinging, no side effects whatsoever. I tried it after several friends raved about it — they all have their sense of smell too. Count me with those that think that people either (a) used the spray incorrectly, (b) lost their sense of smell due to the virus itself, or (c) are faking to get some cash.
Susan, FYI: Zicam was invented in 1999. Nothing like it had ever been on the market before. The original bottle was identically designed like ANY other typical nasal spray bottle; until the makers of Zicam changed the bottle tip design when the heat started coming down on them, along with the directions for use, which early on said it is “not necessary to sniff the gel” and later changed it to “Do not sniff the gel”, which is not normal for nasal bottle usage and for some reason, there’s no warning on the label whatsoever for those who might be use it in the typical manner. The decades old story behind intranasal zinc is controversial and too long to explain in a quick note. That’s why there was a court battle. If it interests you, start by Googling “Zicam”. You’ll learn a lot that way. Thanks for your comment.
One last comment, Susan. Your comment; (b) lost their sense of smell due to the virus itself, or (c) are faking to get some cash.
Regarding (b), Although this is of course, possible, users have reported and claimed they experienced extreme nasal pain and olfaction damage the moments immediately following the dosage. How could that soley be explained away as damage due to a virus? That would be quite a coincidence, in my opinion, particularly when users have complained of extreme nasal pain shortly after using it. There is also documentation of users applying it as a “preventative” (where no virus existed in their body) and they too, experienced olfaction damage. Could it possibly be that the user’s upper nasal region was actually being damaged by the product (while that pain was ocurring)or is that assumption too much of a stretch???
Regarding (c) Susan, it would not shock me that people might try to fake it, but as some people found out the hard way, litigation and settlements don’t make faking it very easy to accomplish.
I have read the comments back and forth about whether or not Zycam is responsible for the loss of taste and smell. I would like to hear from some people that did lose their taste and smell during a cold and also took Zycam, and did that taste and smell come back eventually and if so, how long did it take? I usually always lose some taste and smell during a cold, but it usually only last a day, then comes back. I have a cold now, used Zycam only once at the beginning of the cold, and have lost my taste and smell, but it has been gone for three days now. This concerned me, so I googled taste and smell and found all this stuff about Zycam. I am freaked out now and afraid my taste and smell will NOT come back. Would someone comment on whether their taste and smell finally came back? Please.
It’s me, Bree again. I am happy to say that after 4 days without taste and smell, it finally came back. At first it was off and on, but now it is back completely, and I am so relieved. I read this on an earlier post and I’m quoting: “Regarding the heated debate- I think it’s great if someone loves Zicam and it works wonders for them… and by the same token, if someone had a terrible experience with Zicam, how can anyone else tell them they are wrong and stupid? It is important and healthy to share experiences and information, but hateful judgements about another person’s experience accomplishes nothing. We each must make up our own minds about what works best for our own bodies. Therefore, I feel that no one has the right to tell someone else that their decision is wrong.” I think this says it all. When I used the Zycam Gel Decongestant, the bottle I have has no information on it at all. It says to read the instructions on the box. In my case, the box has been thrown away. I am saying this because the circumstances are different in each case. So you shouldn’t judge anyone for not reading the label. The important thing is that some people were hurt. I am thankful that my taste and smell did come back, and I have no idea if it was due to the Zycam, or combinations of all meds, or simply the cold itself. I just think that in my case, I will not be putting any meds up my nose again. I will stick to oral meds instead. That is just my opinion and I hope I haven’t offended anyone. Good luck to those of you that have lost their taste and smell. I do hope that it does come back.
It amazes me that everyone is talking about the loss of smell that some people get by using the nasal version of Zicam. This may or may not be true, but why take a chance? There are other types of Zicam out there. I read stories about the loss of smell from using nasal Zicam, so I chose to use the lozenges you suck on. They work great and there is no worry about losing my sense of smell. Sure, you lose some of your taste for a few days during and after you are finished with Zicam, but your taste comes back in less than a week. With that much zinc in your mouth, there is no doubt you will taste things differently for a little while. Taste buds also regenerate…so even if Zicam were to injure some, they would come right back. Why take a chance with the nasal Zicam. Go for the oral and cut those cold symptoms down to size or alltogther.
Epidemiological debates are seldom scientifically resolved. The placebo effect is very powerful and the evidence of that is hardly disputable. However, common sense is also very useful here. I have used Zicam and it immediately reduced and “dulled” my sense of smell and the lozenges reduce my sense of taste. This occured long before I EVER read about other people’s experiences. Does it happen to everyone? I’m sure it doesn’t. Will I EVER use Zicam products again. Not likely. Are you willing to risk that you could be one who has this experience? We take risks every day with virtually every medicine we try. Once thing is certain: the antectodal evidence from a wide range of unrelated people is mounting. Each time another person lodges this complaint should give future potential users pause.
As I have stated several postings above, It all depends on how the user applies the gel as to whether you pose a potential danger. The circumstances have to be just right and your system may be more prone to damage than someone elses. BTW, tastebuds may regenerate, but that has nothing to do with the olfactory region high up in the nose where zinc nasal products can do damage.
My final comment is simply this: You may find that Zicam cold remedy may work consistently. Maybe it really does cut off the legs of a cold before it gets going. But even if it were a flat out cure for the common cold, THE USER had better make darn sure they use it in a safe manner. EVEN THOUGH THE MAKERS OF ZICAM DENY THAT THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THEIR PRODUCT, THEIR DIRECTIONS FOR USE CLEARLY STATE: “DO NOT SNIFF”. DO AS THEY SAY, BUT TAKE IT ONE STEP FURTHER. DO NOT SNIFF DURING THE APPLICATION AND DO NOT SNIFF IMMEDIATELY AFTER, EITHER! I know that sniffing is a natural function during a cold but try to resist for a short period of time after application. You reduce the chances of anything bad happening.
I wanted to draw your attention to this important petition that I recently
signed:
“ZICAM REMOVAL FROM SHELVES”
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/zicam?e
I really think this is an important cause, and I’d like to encourage you to add
your signature, too. Please encourage others
to sign the petition as well. It’s free and takes less than a minute of your
time.
Thanks!
I have started using the Zicam for allergies for my seasonal allergies..I did not sniff it like normal nose spray, but after I got done using it (every 4 hrs all day), tonite my nose was burning, inside my ears, neck, throat etc., all felt like it was burning…This can’t be good…Plus it doesnt even help my allergies…I won’t be using it again
Nooooooo!!!!!!!Please do not sign the petition! I love zicam! I have severe allergies and am unable to breathe through my nose without my zicam! I use it at least twice a day and sniff it up too!! It does not burn anything. I lost my sense of smell long ago and probably did so using prescription nasal steroid sprays that all ENT docs prescribe and oral decongestants and allergy pills. Zicam works better than anything prescription I have tried. I swear by it. I also do not get sick,flu or any other ailments and believe that zicam helps ward off these rotten bugs and I have three kids that drag all school sicknesses home.
Just because medications are sold over the counter doesn’t mean we should not be careful with their use and always read directions carefully that is our responsibility as adults. Any OTC can be harmful to anyone if not used or taken properly.
I believe that ZICAM caused me to have terrible migraines. I didn’t have any burning sensations as I applied the product correctly, but the few times I used this product to relieve my allergies I ended up taking addtional drugs to relieve my migraines. I’d rather deal with an itchy and runny nose than migraines that cause me to nauseous. They can keep this mess.
I’m on my 3rd day of zicam after coming down with a cold and for me, zicam actually returned my sense of smell and taste. I feel better already! No complaints here!
I took ZICAM one time as directed. The end of my cold came and my sense of smell was distorted forever. Everything smells disgusting. Jean
Seven weeks ago I used Zicam Spray Gel for the first time. Unfortunately the box and instruction leaflet had been discarded – my husband bought the product for himself some months earlier – and with no warnings on the bottle and its nose spray-like pump action nozzle I inserted it, sprayed and – sadly – sniffed. Like many of the people on this site I endured many hours of intense pain and burning as well as complete loss of smell and taste. I called the Zicam toll-free number and the person I spoke to was well aware of the fact that there are no warnings on the packaging, and told me that putting zinc in my nose was the same as putting “salt on an open wound.” Little comfort as I sat crying on my kitchen floor.
My husband made me go see an ENT doctor the next day and he immediately put me on a course of Prednisone. He was shocked that the product was still on the market, as he had seen many similar cases in his office. Rather than just the “wait a couple of days and this should clear up” that I was hoping for, he informed me that I should get smoke detectors for all the rooms of my house as I couldn’t smell anything, and that it was going to be a matter of “wait and see.”
Seven weeks on and I have very little meaningful recovery. I still can’t smell my husband’s aftershave or my daughters’ shampoo. I don’t smell anything I’m cooking, and taste is limited to salt, sweet and acidic. Basically I don’t have any lingering after-taste from anything I eat.
This product needs to be taken off the market. I since went to another ENT to get a second opinion and he had also seen similar cases and agreed that this product is dangerous. He told me that recovery can take up to a year, and at that time, whatever recovery I have is what I’m going to get.
Obviously everyone is entitled to their opinion on this forum, but those of you who think the victims of this product are either idiots for not reading the instructions (do you keep boxes and leaflets for every medicine – homeopathic or otherwise – in your home??) or in it for what they can get from the manufacturers, are out of line. Try relying on your four year-old to smell the milk because you can’t tell whether it’s good or bad, or being clueless when your kids ask, “What’s that smell, mommy?,” or just simply not being able to enjoy the familiar, comforting smells of those you love. Let me tell you, it hurts. For a mother, the sense of smell is so important in the way we protect and care for our children. Whether it’s smelling smoke in the house, checking that food is safe to eat, or even knowing when one of them has a dirty diaper, it’s a vital part of our role as protector and care-giver. I stay positive that at some point I will fully (or partially) recover my smell and taste, but until then I hold Zicam fully responsible for the pain, stress and aggravation I have suffered.
Well I don’t know what to think… i’ve used zicam like so many times, because I hate getting colds. My throat hurts, gets itchy and I soon after throw up. Sorry if that was a bit graphic=p. Anyways, i’m worried that i’m going to lose my sense of smell, so i’m going to stop using it. If anyone can recommend something that is fast & doesn’t have disturbing side-effects like that, then feel free to let me know… Thanks.=]
p.s. To all that have TRUELY had their noses & or tounges lose their senses, i’m so sorry… I don’t understand what you’re going through, but best wishes to you.
KJR, I read your comment and I can totally relate. So many key people think we’re nuts. The company that makes Zicam thinks we are, their attorneys think we are, the public, who were fortunate enough to avoid being harmed and swear by the product, think we are. The media thinks we are because they are too lazy to do the proper investigation required to uncover and expose the fraud perpetrated on the public that is Zicam. I can tell you that there is a wealth of fraud and other circumstances surrounding Zicam if someone would just take the time to look into it. They could start by googling, The Men Behind Zicam.
Virtually all of the comments on this forum have been about the nasal types of Zicam. Has anyone ever lost their sense of taste from the oral type? I know that oral zinc products will temporarily distort your sense of taste, but has anyone ever had long term problems from it? I use oral Zicam (rapid melts)and get great relief. Why would anyone risk such horrible side effects from a nasal product when there is an alternative, assuming that the alternative is safer? And if it’s not please let me know.
How you think when the economic crisis will end? I wish to make statistics of independent opinions!
My first question to those that over use Zicam, is why you use it every few weeks, if you really feel the onset of a cold every few weeks then you probably have other underlying medical problems and should not be using Zicam. I have used Zicam and it works great, those of you have that have anecdotal stories about losing sense of smell after using it, is just that; an anecdotal story. I am an avid wine drinker and taster and my sense of smell is great and has not been affected at all my zicam
Martin:
I am really happy to hear that Zicam works for you, however I feel that you are being pretty dismissive of the people that have had injuries from this product. I used it ONCE more than four and a half months ago, and I still have limited smell and taste, and what I do smell/taste is either so awful I have to spit it out or turn away, or is so bland and indistinguishable that it’s not enjoyable at all.
I do believe that the ingredients in this product cause different reactions in different people based on their physiological make up, which is probably why you have had no side effects. However, that doesn’t detract from the fact that using this product just once burnt my olfactory nerve and has caused me stress and tears. I am – was – also a foodie and wine fan. Sadly wine tastes and smells like chemicals to me now. Totally undrinkable.
I used zicam for the first time two weeks ago. When I laid down it dripped down my throat and caused intense burning. I was ok after some motrin kicked in, but a week later, I have a permanent garlic smell in my nose. I’m hoping it is temporary, and using mentholatum to help disguise the smell. Yuk!
gbp: So sorry to hear about your experience. This product should be off the market. Hope the garlic smell disappears soon – I wish you all the best.
Martin: I also wondered why someone who has had such a good experience with Zicam would bother taking the time to check out sites about the product, especially those where it’s safety and effectiveness are in question. Strange…
I am so scared. I sprayed Zicam into my nose 7 days ago because my husband came down with a cold and I didn’t want to get sick. I immediately felt the burning pain and had a headache for 3 days. I still cannot smell or taste anything and I wasn’t even sick to begin with. That one time was the only time in my life that I have ever used this product. Does anyone have any positive stories about completely regaining smell and taste after Zicam?
Heather,
I’m so sorry this has happened to you. Our stories are so similar.
Have you been to an ENT yet? You should definitely go. I went the following day and was immediately put on Predisone for 6 days (I was given a second 6-day pack immediately after) to take down the inflammation. They also put me on Nasonex.
That was in August. I have had a little recovery, but most foods taste terrible to me now, and what I can smell smells pretty bad too. I still get nothing when I walk through the perfume departments of my local department stores, and when my kid threw up all over my car a couple of weeks ago I couldn’t smell a thing – a bright spot!!
I would love to give you some positive feedback, and as I said, I have had some minimal recovery, but it can take up to a year for the olfactory nerves to regenerate.
I have started a group on Facebook called Warning! Do Not Use Zicam. If you’re on it, please join and make sure to click on and sign the petition to get this nightmare of a product off the market. You are the second person I have heard of just this week who has been injured. It’s just not right! I also recommend e-mailing everyone in your address book to warn them and to make sure they throw away any form of Zicam that they have in their homes.
By the way, which product did you use. Was it the nasal gel? And if so, was it the original bottle with the spray at the top, or the one with the “showerhead” spray that shoots out sideways. Would love to know. Mine was the original bottle.
Big hug to you.
I recently started using Zicam Rapid Melts and the only effects I’ve suffered from thus far is fatigue/dizzyness. I’m guessing the tablets do not cause loss of taste or smell?
I just took the swab kind and only put it in 1/4″ into my nose (as the box said) and I did not experience any burning or pain.
Did everyone who lost their sense of smell all have pain and burning immediately? Did you lose your sense of smell immediately?
So far everything is fine, just hoping to get some more info.
I just heard from My ENT, that given the time that has passed, my smell and partial sense of taste are gone permanently. I used the product 2.5 years ago and probably like many others inhaled to far into my nasal cavity. Now after being told by numerous other doctors that my sense of smell will likely come back with time, the Ear nose and throat specialist confirmed that my sense of smell is gone. How can you have independant testing, payed for and performed by the product manufacturer’s representatives. Dave Richardson, last time we spoke you said that you thought your were having kluck with a treatment at NC state. Has this treatment helped and does your insurance contribute to the bills. Thanks Jason, GSO resident.
jh – From my own personal experience and based on what I’ve heard from other victims, the burning started pretty much straight away. It’s unmistakable, so hopefully you haven’t had any reaction to it at all. However, my advice to you is NOT to use Zicam in any of its forms. Zinc should not be anywhere near your nasal passages (even the person at the Zicam 1-800 number that I called the night I suffered my injury said this!!). It has not been proven to help the severity of colds, and even though many people swear by it, is it really worth the risk of injury??
Jason:
So sorry to hear about the news from your ENT. Let us all know if you hear about any breakthrough treatment.
My best to both of you.
KJR, thanks for sharing. I luckily did not have any burning, and it’s been 2 days and I can still smell. I washed my nose out with water several times about an hour later after using the first swab (being careful not to spread any residue further into my nose)–I didn’t use it again.
I’m just wondering if there are any people who did not have the burning but still lost their sense of smell. I’m hoping this is not the case, I would assume that if you’ve damaged the nerves that allow you to smell, they’re damaged and you won’t be able to smell right away (as opposed to deteriorating over time).
Anyway, everything I’ve read is that you do have some sort of burning or indication that you’ve been affected (just not waking up one day and can’t smell w/o any indication that you’ve damaged the tissue).
TO ALL WHO HAVE BEEN DAMAGED: Please know that this is not a new situation. It has been going on since lawsuits finally hit the company back in 2003, which motivated them to alter the nasal spray bottle tip and reduce the odds of the goop reaching the smell receptors. They assembled a so called “Scientific Advisory Board”, which was ANYTHING BUT independent thinkers, that would assure the public THROUGH PRESS RELEASES, that their zinc nasal product was safe and that people claiming olfaction damage were not actually hurt by the zinc hitting the smell receptors, but rather, by a viral infection brought on by the cold itself. This is what they have done from the beginning. I WILL LEAVE YOU WITH ONE LAST THOUGHT: WHEN ZINC NASAL PRODUCTS FIRST HIT THE MARKET IN 1999, SEVERAL COMPANIES MADE ZINC NASAL PRODUCTS. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM DROPPED THE PRODUCT….EXCEPT ZICAM. EVEN THOUGH THE COUGH-COLD MARKET IS A MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR INDUSTRY, WHY IS NO ONE CURRENTLY COMPETING WITH ZICAM ZINC NASAL PRODUCTS? IT MIGHT BE BECAUSE THEY NOW KNOW THE TRUTH ABOUT THE POTENTIAL DANGERS OF ZINC NASAL SPRAYS AND DON’T WANT THE LAWSUIT HEADACHES THAT WOULD COME WITH. YEP. ZICAM HAS A TOTAL MONOPOLY ON THE NASAL-ZINC MARKET.
If you believe you were damaged by intranasal zinc, get on a search engine and start looking around. It will be worth your while. there are many experts out there who will tell you that the some of the KEY findings of their Scientific Board are flat out untrue. And yes, they went public about it, but the news media doesn’t care enough about the sense of taste and smell to investigate it.
I have also lost my taste and smell after using Zicam. It is too coincidental that the first time I ever used Zicam, I lost my taste and smell and that as soon as I Googled loss of smell and taste, up popped Zicam. However, my experience is with the nasal swabs, not with the spray. The only thing I can figure is that I used a saline solution nasal irrigator after applying the Zicam and must have spread the Zicam further in to my nasal cavity.
Well, I made my first post on this subject prior to reading most of these comments. After reading them, I am more convinced than ever that Zicam is the culprit of my loss of smell and taste. I am 65 years of age and financially secure. Litigation would not improve my life in any way I can imagine. However, I will gladly join in to the fight against this product and its makers in any form that fight might take. I have lost a precious gift and will probably find out tomorrow, after visiting my ENT, that my now five week old loss may be permanent. As I stated in my last post, I am perhaps the only one who used the swabs and has experienced the loss. I use a nasal irrigator with saline solution to cope with sinus infections and colds. I suspect that using this forced Zicam further in to my nostrals. The depressing thing about my use of the nasal irrigator, is that my taste and smell improved dramatically since I began to use it. I was tasting and smelling better than I had in 35 years. Furthermore, I have not been on antibiotics for almost a year where before I was on them six months of the year with sinus infections. Within five days of using Zicam, I have almost completely lost smell and taste. Very depressing.
You dont know what you’ve got, until its gone.
Anybody notice that when you call Zicam, their representatives either say they havent heard of such problem or they know very little about it.
Doesnt that sound like a directive. It makes me “sick” to think that there is a Zicam policy that involves keeping infomation from people when they are aware of the “potential”
damage caused by its use.
I had a cold virus in 2005. I used Zicam nose spray to alleviate my nasal congestion. Some went down my throat and I experience INTENSE burning pain. Within days I had pain all my neck and chest which radiated into my underarm. I’ve had serious health issues since. I’m convinced there was nerve damage that is now chronically painful with inflammation and set off again every time I get a cold. I was pretty healthy before this and didn’t take any medications. I suspect more than one nerve was damaged and that now the virus is in my nervous system!
I can take zinc in pill form but I will not use Zicam again.
Has anyone permanently lost their smell and taste WITHOUT the terrible burning sensation? I thought I used the product correctly… and I had no unwanted side effect immediately after using it. In fact, my nose and throat felt just fine. Yet, a day later, no smell, no taste…
There is probably enough people who have truly experienced loss of sense of smell to warrant anecdotal evidence. My wife and I have both used Zicam Nasal gel in spray and nasal swabs. Both of us can attest to it’s efficacy of decreasing cold symptoms and shortening a cold. I have not had any loss of sense of smell, even with the burning sensation on occasion, however, my wife has had a significant loss of sense of smell and to a lesser extent, taste. She complains of only the smell of smoke even with strong odors, such as, onions, garlic, rosemary, perfume, and even cigarette smoke. This could be attributed to her last sense of smell was smoke when she was cleaning our pellet stove. This has been for 3 months with follow-ups to physicians, specialists(ENT, neurologist), and a CT scan. All showing nothing aberrant. Her loss is real, so just a warning for “consumer beware.”
Dennis, do you know what they’ll tell you? You are 65 years old. They will tell you that the reason you have this condition is because you are older…and older people naturally experience a reduced sense of smell and taste as they age. You see, Matrixx has their explanations for any olfaction loss, blamed on their product by a user, down to a science. What is so incredible to me is that intranasal zinc has been used by scientists to deliberately destroy the sense of smell in animals. ZINC! And zinc gluconate, the exact form of zinc in Zicam, has been used by veternarians to render dogs sterile by injecting the dog’s testicles WITH ZINC GLUCONATE as the active ingredient! The same compound you put up your nose! But does anyone ever investigate evidence so strong as this? No. I would suggest that everyone get off their butts and get powerful forces involved. Rise up. Think about it. If something similar happened with a “homeopathic” product and someone got blurred vision or impaired hearing, politicians and the FDA would come unglued. BUT no one is going to come to the aid of someone who experiences damage from a product that causes loss of smell or loss of taste. That is, unless you make some noise, folks.
Last Friday (Jan. 30, 2009), upon coming down with a cold and after hearing my bank’s teller say they had gotten a cold but were on Zicam ‘Rapidmelts’ (lozenges) and that it had really shortened their symptoms’ duration, I went to my local grocery store and bought Zicam lemon-lime rapidmelts for myself. (I’d never tried Zicam before.) I’ve used the rapidmelts according to directions since, and last evening I decided to thaw some homemade chili I’d made earlier in the year for my supper. I enjoyed the chili again, remembering having seasoned it ‘just right’ when it was first made. The next day (today-February 4, 2009) I decided to have another bowl of the SAME chili for my lunch and when I ate it all the saltiness had gone, most of the chili flavor was gone, and ALL the ‘hotness’ of the pepper flavor was gone. I also had trouble smelling it. JUST LIKE THAT, OVERNIGHT, my sense of taste and/or smell has been reduced by about approximately 2/3 to 3/4. Tonight when I got home from work I searched the internet for “sudden loss of taste” and discovered that the common element with other people is ZICAM.
PLEASE don’t take this product, people! If I had ANY inkling that loss of taste and/or smell was a possible side effect that other people had already reported, I would NEVER have used Zicam. I was–apparently wrongly–’reassured’ when buying it by the “homeopathic” label on the package.
A final observation: The rapidmelts I used tasted lemon-lime-ish on their outer surface, but the very inside center tasted very bitter. I wonder if there’s not only a safety issue with the two Zinc compounds in this preparation but also with its quality control? Or perhaps the ‘bitter middle’ was already a signal of trouble tasting(?)
Again, IF YOU READ THIS NOTE PLEASE DO NOT RISK YOUR OWN SENSE OF TASTE/SMELL BY USING Zicam!
Hello there.I am not a Zicam user since I don’t trust nasal inhaler of any sorts. My sis was given Zicam by a quack and she said her cold stopped once she started using it.she still has her sense of smell but I told her do not ever us it again after reading all these reports. Im so scared on her behalf.Well, I have lost my sense of smell since a cold 5-6 weeks ago and showing no sign or recovering. So I now how depressing it can be.
To those that says serves you right for not using according to instructions. But if an item is going to corrode your receptors IF YOU DON”T READ then isn’t it not a safe item? I mean it’s a product for the nose and you might inhale accidentally because its normal human reaction? If only a small reflex like this will cause lost sense of smell then it shoulnd’t be approved as safe etc? I really do feel so sad for people who have lost their sense of smell. I KNOW that feeling but for me I have hopes of regaining my smell.I’m trully sorry
I had to chime in again. DOES EVERYONE COMPREHEND THAT SCIENTISTS USE INTRANASAL IONIZED ZINC TO DESTROY THE SMELL RECEPTORS OF TEST ANIMALS? What makes the ionized zinc in Zicam any different? That has yet to be explained away with any authority. The risk exists. You Luck Out every time you use it and it does not come in contact with your nasal receptors. The farther the compound gets high up into your nose the more you expose yourself to potential olfaction damage. Is it an extreme risk? Of course not. But is a small risk worth potential harm to two of your five senses? They will not tell you there is no risk of damage because they are banking that you will not misuse it.
So they can continue selling their product. Why? No one in their right mind will ever volunteer for a safety test that would answer the accusations. If YOU had a perfectly good sense of smell and taste, would you submit yourself to a product safety test that places the zinc compound directly on your nasal olfactory region? The answer is obvious.
I also used Zicam for a couple years. But 2 weeks ago after spraying it, the burning and pain in my nasal passages, sinus and forhead was excrutiating. It soon radiated to my right ear and around the back of my head. I used an over the counter nasal wash to flush it out but to no avail. Later that day I made a quart of saline solution and irrigated my nose with a ball syringe. It helped, but I still ended up in the emergency room after suffering that day and sleepless night. I was given prednisone,told to keep irrigating and go to a specialist if not better, 10 days later I did. Though much better, I still have some burning and headaches. The doctor said if it doesn’t clear up soon, he wants to do some testing. So for all you “nay sayers” that rave about using it or make dumb comments about the people who go through this, you had better take it seriously and reconsider your unwarranted opinions. I would not wish what I went, and am now going through, on anyone!
My husband lost his sense of smell a long time ago before Zicam was ever heard of. We could not attribute it to anything. Drs. told him it is common in males and also can happen after a cold. Years later he developed Parkinson’s Disease and we found out from a Neurologist that his loss of smell could have been an early indication. This is well documented. So I would tell all of you who have lost their sense of smell to keep in touch with your physician. I have used Zicam for years and am overly sensitive to smells. I take Claritin daily to help with that. So there you are for what it is worth.
i just have one thing to say about the nasal zicam. Most people when buying nasal inhalers assume it is to be inhaled, zicam should clearly put on the box for inhaler do not inhale, so when a person picks up the box that is one of the first things people see. my boyfriend used the nasal zicam five months ago and his sense of taste or smell has not returned. obviously not it does not affect everyone the same, but the fact that it does happen to some people means they should take it off the market!!!
My cold started tonight. I don’t want a cold. My wife had purchased Zicam. There is not instructions on the bottle. NONE. She threw away the box as most people do. I snorted two huge snorts up my nose and a few seconds later thought my head was going to explode. An hour later I ate some cashews and an egg. I think I will be fine. Hope my cold goes away because that was painful.
The first time I used it was 3 days b4 my wedding I went down on my knees at work when I worked at sears in their call center preforming technical electronic support. I am talking puking up mucus EVERYWHERE and loosing my voice instantly. My husbands boss told him about it. when sobbing I wrote him our wedding was now going to be f-ed up. They only had the gel that I saw. I took it, I was able to speak my vows and not dribble snot down the front of my veil and dress and I was able to dance. I couldn’t talk to much yet because I would start coughing then need a drink then need to take hour long potty break with dress and crinoline and stocking and garters w/out moving my head to much. I have been taking it since. I get colds just looking at someone across the street and I have been that was since the Navy. Turns out I have no immunity due to my disease. My sniffer was never perfect and tastes get all funky with my disease. I do use the swabs since I can keep a handful in my purse and not worry about goo getting all over contents and tissue to wipe extra goo like I needed with gel. If it comes to loosing some of my smell or having Pneumonia for a solid year and a half. I will take the smelling loss Bob. I know Zicam is supposed to work on colds, but I swear it works against flue and pneumonia too. Yes, warning should be given at least to cover their rears in our sue happy world. I would be P.O.’ed if they took my Zicam away. Make your own choices. As for me I take it b4 I even walk into the VA hospital, and my sisters babies are puking like possessed babies in an exorcist movie. Yeah I am taking it and have told them about it and let them decide.
ZICAM has now struck my wife, and not just the nasal product! It was her one time use of the FastMelt that has caused her complete loss of smell. There is no doubt that it is linked with ZICAM whether or not there is any causal evidence. I hold the makers of ZICAM responsible and intend to be a part of ensuring their product is removed from the market and that the makers pay dearly for delaying!
I love Zicam and would recommend it to anyone! I’ve been using it for months and if I’m free of congestion I can smell fine. I have severe sinus problems and it has helped me so much. Even if I lost my ability to smell at least I can breathe through my nose.
I too have lost my sense of smell from using zicam nasal gel spray,it has been months now and I can’t smell a thing. Does anyone know how to regain there sense of smell? Pleasssse help!!
Karen Krasnow said,
Even if I lost my ability to smell at least I can breathe through my nose.
Karen, I’m glad Zicam has helped you though the tough times with your sinus issues. Consider yourself lucky. However, if you permanently lost your ability to smell (and taste BTW cuz they’re tied together) or suffered permanent damage to your olfaction, you would be singing a whole different tune. Think what life would be like if one minute you could smell anything just fine and with one dose, experience an olfaction terrorist attack? ALL BECAUSE OF THE TOXIC EFFECTS OF IONIZED ZINC SALT ON THE OLFACTORY AREA HIGH UP IN YOUR NOSE JUST BECAUSE YOU SNIFFED IT TOO HARD. I will say it one more time. No one is willing be the subject of a LIVE scientific test that instills the gel directly on the living human olfactory area. Do you understand that? NO ONE. Not even the president of the company. They value their sense of smell more than they trust their own product!
Dear Ms. Duda & Others: Please be aware that there have been multiple lawsuits against Matrixx’s Zicam nasal gel spray. The most recent on 3-19-09. There has not been a single INDEPENDENT study that was not funded by Matrixx. Thus far, they have hidden behind an obscure ruling called the “Daubert Rule” which has allowed them to continue to market this harmful product because they are aware of a current loophole which puts homeopathic products outside of the current FDA jurisdiction. It is terribly naive and dangerous to only take the word of the Manufacturer and those they specifically hire to give the opinion they want. Their back is against the wall on these lawsuits and they will avoid independent and objective scrutiny at all cost. Make no mistake about it, regardless whether the product is intended to or not. IF the zinc gluconate reaches your olfactory epithelium even on a single application, you will loose your sense of taste and smell. 3.5 years have pasted for me after a single painful exposure. It is one thing if a product simply does not work (which INDEPENDENT studies show is in fact the case with zinc gluconate and a cold), however it is entirely another if the product causes permanent damage to two of your five senses. There is absolutely no warning by Matrixx of the potential permanent danger other then what they refer to as “slight irritation”. For how many years did the tobacco industry obstruct that their product was harmful, because they knew what it would do to sales. PLEASE, PLEASE be aware of the danger of this product!
This is my second attempt to leave a comment; my first one was wiped clean by this system.
I’ve used Zicam Gel Swabs for about 2 years and found them effective in keeping my nostris moist and usually stopping a cold infection from dropping into my lungs. I also gargle with hot salt water to stop the cold. I had noticed that after using the swabs for a period of about 1 week, two to four times daily, my sense of smell especially things like butter, mayonnaise or lightly aromatic foods has diminised greatly. Also some of the smells are “distorted”; certain things don’t smell “right”. Cologne still smells pretty much the same, but not as strongly. Stopping the use of Zicam seemed to restore some of the smell but not all and this takes at least 2 months or more to be noticed. Someone should investigate these facts in an unbiased way and warnings to the public should be given on the product; it’s only fair. Thanks!
I have used Zicam for several years without incident. This last time however, I began to experience deja vu instances 3 or 4 times a day. At first I didn’t think much about it, but on the third day I began to experience irregular or skipped heart beats along with the deja vu moments. I am currently going through other tests to make sure it is not something else, but I have been told that this has been associated with zinc gluconate in some cases. I haven’t had the problem with loss of smell or taste, but this is perhaps more dangerous if it can even in rare instances cause seizures.
Eight months on from my one dose of the gel spray and I am still not back to normal. The two ENTs I went to both said it can take up to a year, and then after that I probably won’t have any more recovery. Smells and tastes are still highly distorted, and anything perfumed either barely registers, or smells so distorted that it’s nauseating. Some days seem to be better than others, but often if I go to a new restaurant, or try new things, the food is bland, or I only get part of the taste sensation. I seem to eat the same things at home all the time simply because they don’t taste bad, so I wonder whether taste memory kicks in at some point because of familiarity.
Anyway, I hope recovery continues, but in the meantime I’m going to put the question out there… HOW CAN WE GET THIS PRODUCT OFF THE MARKET?? Is there anyone who’s been injured by this product who could fund an independent study? Perhaps we all need to contact health correspondents on our local newspapers and TV stations to get the story going again.
I have spoken to a lawyer friend of mine, and he agrees that the only way to fight this is with an independent study that gives absolute proof that Zicam can destroy smell and taste. The numbers are there. The victims and stories are there. We just need to tie it all together.
Does anyone have any thoughts on this??
KJR, tell your lawyer friend to research Neutersol. If he has not heard of it before, he will be shocked. Why does it sterilize dogs in the manner that it was intended? I think it’s the smoking gun for why olfaction damage can occur when ionized zinc salt gets directly on the human olfactory region. If live human testing is an impossibility, then Neutersol is the closest evidence. Its only active ingredient is zinc gluconate and it causes cell necrosis (death) when used to sterilize male dogs. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.
Correlation does not prove causation.
You must be on the Zicam payroll. I to have lost the sense of smell after a dose of Zicam. How can so many people be linking their inability to smell with Zicam?
Geoff, Let’s say you murdered someone. It is highly likely that I would be questioned by the cops IF I was a close friend of yours. Because I was correlated with you, I was interrogated. Of course it does not mean I knew anything about the murder, BUT, AT LEAST I was questioned.
I take it your reference to the zinc in Neutersol being correlated with the zinc in Zicam does not mean the zinc in Zicam causes any damage to sensitive human tissue like the zinc in Neutersol does. Guess what? You may be right. But since no one, and I mean NO ONE has looked into it and done one stitch of research on it, you just might be wrong. DON’T ASSUME YOU’RE RIGHT when no one has even done the slightest detective work. It’s sort of like investigating a murder and not questioning the all the key suspects or witnesses. Got it?
About 5 years ago, my husband also lost his sense of smell, abruptly, after using Zicam nasal swabs. Oddly, he didn’t experience a burning sensation. He cannot miss more than 2 days of work a yr. without getting into trouble so he took it only because he was feeling like a cold might be starting. He went to his PMD, then to an ENT, had MRI’s, CT scans of his head, etc… and was referred to smell and taste centers and was diagnosed with anosmia,; he cannot smell anything. In fact, he was home alone and didn’t smell a gas leak, he cannot smell burning (or the fireplace that he enjoyed so much). My husband has never smoked, never had any sinus problems, exercises every day,eats a great diet (no fast foods,junk food…)nor do I or anyone around him smoke. He works in an office w/ no environmental issues. We both work full time, have never been unemployed, are not the SUING type. In fact, he was offered $5,000 by Matrixx to “walk away from this and never litigate again.” Are they crazy?? Did they wait until a recession hoping people would be hard up for cash? It’s not about THE CASH but the fact that this product is flawed. I don’t care if it works on 1 out of 1,000 people with no side effects; the FDA better get involved in this. There is something very wrong with this product…
My mistake above. I meant to say “I don’t care if it works on 999 out of 1,000 people w/ no side effects. Are there any ENT’s or specialists reading these blogs that are attempting to get this product off of the market? This topic would be a great research study for medical residents, the medical journals,etc. Why not pursue it? Is it because no human would want to be part of the zicam inhaling control group? Why not get the manufacturers, marketers and CEO’s of Matrixx to be in the “control group.” Surely, they have no problem sleeping at night knowing this product is out there; they’re making money off of it. If they admit their guilt, their profits will disappear and their company will be financially destroyed. As for the opinions out there that the company shouldn’t hold blame for the improper sniffing up of the zicam by irresponsible users, I will have to disagree. A product this dangerous to the olfactory epithelia has no right to be placed anywhere near the nose. As the one woman said, she laid down in a supine position after using the Zicam so called “correctly” and it still dripped up her nose. Sniffing is a natural response and should be acceptable when using an intranasal product. Matrixx is just as corrupt as all of our politicians and Wall Street exec.’s. To all of you out there who have been offered a small settlement, don’t take it; it’s not worth it.
I have been using zicam gel swabs for several years now. we keep them on hand like we keep aspirin etc… the effectiveness to combat viruses and or colds is undeniable. I used to catch every bloody cold and flu that came along. Now since using zicam I have reduced the incidence by at least 80%. Regarding the loss of sense of smell or taste, I have not had any noticeable loss to mine at all.
Now with the threat of a deadly swine flu virus we are using zicam as a preventive medicine. It is a fact that zinc molecules block vrus attachment and zicam works without a doubt.
It looks to me like these are lawsuits people are trying to cash in on. I bet you anything, if in fact people have lost a sense of smell or taste it is NOT because of zicam. But they are willing to jump on the class action lawsuit band wagon for the cash. I bet you anything these same people will be using zicam for this swine flu. Who are they kidding?
Joseph, It seems that you are the phoney- Why are you interested in this blog at all? You mention molecule binding… you’re probably from Matrixx. No, the zicam issues are real- be careful what you conclude- you might be one of the unfortunate ones who lose thei sense of smell (and taste); you would not get any sympathy from me. Basically, no one is getting RICH at all. Any settlements are 2,000-3,000 after undergoing many doctor visits, tests, etc. We had many out of pocket fees for my husband to get diagnosed. The issue is that this product is still on the shelves at all. If it was FDA approved, it wouldn’t be. Maybe it’s “all natural or whatever”, but so is hemlock. As more homeopathics reach the market, there really needs to be tighter control of these types of problems. This is really just the tip of the iceberg.
Bravo Kristen!
Joseph, have a little compassion, please! As a Zicam victim I would never, ever use the product again, even for Swine Flu. Zinc has never been proven to prevent or reduce the common cold. The only people getting rich from this product are the dubious characters that run Matrixx.
I now have partially lost my sense of smell and taste from using Zicam only once. I saw 2 doctors who specialize in sense of smell and both of them strongly believe that Zicam was the cause. Call any Doctor that specializes in sense of smell. You will not be able to find EVEN ONE that thinks Zicam is safe. Don’t take my word for it. AGAIN, Call ANY taste and smell clinic and ask them if they think Zicam is safe!!!! You will be shocked by what they say. Zicam causes loss of smell and taste!!!!! Case closed. You would have to be an idiot not to trust doctors with 30+ years of experience. If you are a victim I am truly sorry. I know what you are going through and I wish you the best.
I used Zicam for years and swore by it. But last June I lost my sense of smell and taste after using Zicam for 6 days. I followed the printed instructions to a T. I am an intelligent person with a masters degree with highest honors and not some dummy. Nor am I someone looking for a quick buck. I have not filed a lawsuit. When I went to the ENT hoping for a cure, I was told that anosmia is a well documented side effect of Zicam. I was also told there is no cure. I now tell everyone I know not to use Zicam. I tell all who read this the same thing. Why risk losing such an important facilty?
I have used Zicam for years now, form when it was initially introduced on the market. I use it frequently, as in several times a year, as does my husband. I keep the tablets in my purse, in my suitcase, and the gelswabs in my bathroom cabinet. I have tried the nasal spray, the oral spray, the gel squirty dispenser, and the swabs. Neither of us have had any issues with Zicam at all. Zinc will alter your sense of taste while you are taking it, Cold-Eaze does the same thing. It says it on the package. If you are responsible and don’t try to INHALE it, eat it, drink it or stick it someplace where it doesn’t belong, you will most likely be fine. In fact, I just took it right now because I feel a cold coming on. For me the product is a godsend. Read instructions, use common sense. Zicam will help you. I love this product.
What Zicam has done to me I would not wish on my worst enemy. Trust the doctors, Don’t use zinc in your nose. It’s not worth the risk. God, I wish I knew this before I took it. Zicam is evil. You just don’t know how dangerous it is, till its too late.
I was a victim of Zicam as well. It is no joke and a VERY frightful experience to lose your sense of smell and taste. I don’t wish it on anyone. Before the expiration date October of 2007 I believe, the maker made no steps to prevent the trajection of the zinc solution from going straight up deep into your sinus cavity hitting your neuron area which provides your sense of smell. Since that date and after a class action lawsuit, they modified the tip of the spray to spread it and mist it more. If you use it you would have noticed this. I still have a bottle with that expiration date in my freezer in a plastic bag as I wanted it in case I needed to prove my case for destroying my smell.
When I used it I felt a blast and become immediately dizzy similiar to what others reported. I knew something was wrong at that very moment. With me Zicam wiped out my sense of smell mostly and my taste slightly. Everything smelled metalic, even dog droppings had its own new smell to me. Taking a shower, the shampoo and body gel smelt extremely metalic and was difficult to use they were so bad. It was extremely frustrating learning every smell over again as they were now different. For the most part my sense of taste was still there which was contrary to everything I had learned that smell and taste are completely connected. Some things like peanut butter which I really enjoyed tasted horribly and I could not longer eat it. Other things like sugars tasted the same.
But there was hope for me at the end of the tunnel, after a full year I regained both my sense of smell and taste completely! I started using a netti pot near this time which I do not know if it was a coincidence or not, but it makes sense to me that it may have been a factor. I believe my sense of smell was mainly affected because my cilia may have been caked in zinc from the Zicam which affected mainly my sense of smell. By using a netti pot with a saline combination solution it may have acted as a base to strip the zinc off and allow me to regain my sense of smell. I highly recommend trying it at least as they are very affordable. I remember when I realized the shower gel smelled normal again I started smelling everything in site and was so excited when I realized everything was back. It is a feeling I can’t explain to regain something so necessary. If someone else can have it back from that method it would be amazing.
I have used this product in the past without problems, however today I used the spray as I felt a cold coming on and immediatly felt a terrible painful burning. It has been a few hours since using and the burning has not stopped. I immediatly googled “zicam burning” and it led me to this site. I am concerned after reading the other posts and not sure what to do. Would seeing a physician help?
Im think i will upset a lot of what i will refer to as anti zicam people ( i use that terms loosely for lack of a better one to serve my descriptive purposes ).
1st of im NOT and employee of the company, i am in fact an unemployed housewife that has suffered severe sinus allergies since i was about 10 years old.
Nothing ever helped me completly. There was times when i took. Tylenol sinus with a sudaphed PE back a mere hour apart.
it got to the point my pharmasist made me show ID and sign a book when i needed alergy meds.
Then i stubeled upon zicam nasal spray for the sinus allergies. I have been using it at least 2 times a week sometimes 7 for my alergies for the past 3 and a half years now. I never read the directions deep enough to see any warnings or lack thereof that are being spoke of here. And yes many times i did sniff it in a manner im not reading was incorrect. BUT i never lost my sence of smell even for a few moments.
I am sorry for those who lost their smell, but in all honesty given my experiences with the zicam itself i dont feel its a reaction based on that medication alone and think its more of a combo of various things.
I strongly suggest that everyone take a breather from all the yelling at eachother and talk to their doctors. Discuss openly any thing you took at the time be it legal or not. And if its found to be that one thing alone that caused it then by all means sure the pants off them. But lets all remember we ARE adults here, yelling snipping and making thinly vield duragatory remarks wont get ANYONE anywhere it sure wont fix the busted sniffers.
I used Zicam nasal spray for approximately one week to relieve seasonal allergy symtoms. the product was not in its original box so the printed instructions were not available. the printing on the bottle was so small a microscope would be needed to read it. So, this is an over the counter remedy. What is the worst thing that could happen? There was intense burning in my nasal cavity. It went away. My nose cleared up and I could breath. As allergy symptoms cleared, I noticed a diminished and distorted sense of smell and taste. Strong and unique odors such as garlic, coffee, gasoline,fresh cut grass took on the odor of moldy cheese. Subtle tastes are no longer perceptable. The problem does not seem to be getting better after two months. I am infuriated!
All you non believers: WE ARE NOT CRACKPOT WHINERS. THIS IS REAL TESTIMONY. THIS PRODUCT IS DANGEROUS!
Victims on this board are not Whining, they are WARNING about the danger of Zicam. BIG Difference. Why does every pro Zicam poster have to attack victims of the product? It’s so obvious they are from Matrixx! A normal person would just share their experience even if it was a positive one. This gives credibility to the victims and the doctors who believe Zicam is dangerous. DON’T USE ZICAM! WARN your friends and loved ones!
Have your senses been lost or altered? — YES see and ENT immediately!! Try and find one that specializes in sense of smell. You can also call any taste and smell clinic they may be able to help you. Sorry this happened to you, and I hope your senses are OK.
THIS BLOG IS NOT ABOUT ZICAM FOR ALLERGIES. IT IS STRICTLY ABOUT ZICAM COLD REMEDY CONTAINING ZINC. IF YOU USED ONE OF THEIR OTHER PRODUCTS AND YOU ARE ATTEMPTING TO SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES, YOU WILL NOT SUFFER OLFACTION DAMAGE AND YOU ARE MISSING THE ENTIRE POINT OF THIS TOPIC. SORRY FOR THE “CAPS”.
After using Zicam several times in the past I recently used it at onset of sinus congestion. Unfortunately, even after following instructions and not knowingly sniffing or applying anything further in my nostril than just past opening, I can no longer smell or taste anything. Initially thought this might be due to congestion I was not concerned until this continued for past 7 days. During this time I have been shocked to find so much information concerning lawsuits and others experiencing same problem. The largest concern is that the manufacturer seems to be in denial (think big tobacco industry denying cancer/emphasemia claims) and of course claims that any problems are due to misuse, colds, other issues, etc… When I first started using Zicam I read and followed directions and looked for any warnings that indicated it may be a dangerous product. After losing my sense of smell and tatse (and I mean completely) I am shocked that there was not some obvious, clearly stated warning that this was a real possibility. I’ve read all of the bantor and callous comments about how those not experiencing this blame those that have/are experiencing a loss of smell for not following directions or taking the “risk”. What about those of us who clearly follow the directions, are cautious using any medications and still find that after purchasing a cold remedy that had no clear warning of this issue suddenly find that this is clearly a very real problem ?!!
for all of you people whom accidentally inhaled Zicam, and think its irresponsible to have a product meant for the nose that should not enhaled…..
DO NOT SWALLOW YOUR TOOTHPASTE
There, I hope I have saved you from further harm
Well said! You have no idea what a relief it is to hear the truth about this dangerous product!!!!! Zinc should not be used in the nose PERIOD! I am a victim myself. The generally accepted way of use for a nasal product is to sniff deeply. Otherwise a clear warning needs to be labeled on the bottle and box and instructions of the dangers of misuse! The company hid reports of complaints by users they were required to report to the FDA as an adverse event. Seems the company knew they were ruining peoples lives and could care less.
For many years I have taken a 50mg zinc tablet at the first sign of a cold. I have had one cold in the many years since I started doing this and I think it was mainly because I didn’t carry it with me during the cold season and had two people coughing and sneezing on me all afternoon one day. I do have some with me now all year long, just in case. It is much cheaper than any cold meds you can buy.
OH MY! WELL, WHAT DO WE HAVE HERE???
Enjoy your Zicam while you have it.
BYE BYE ZICAM COLD REMEDY.
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/ColdandFluNews/story?id=7853178&page=1
How about an apology from everyone who doubted the sincerity, accuracy and sanity of the comments from Zicam victims, but particularly people who thought it was all in their imagination or that it was caused by a cold virus? Read it and weep.
FDA NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: June 16, 2009
Media Inquiries: Siobhan DeLancey, 301-796-4668, siobhan.delancey@fda.hhs.gov
Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA
FDA Advises Consumers Not To Use Certain Zicam Cold Remedies
Intranasal Zinc Product Linked to Loss of Sense of Smell
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today advised consumers to stop using three products marketed over-the-counter as cold remedies because they are associated with the loss of sense of smell (anosmia). Anosmia may be long-lasting or permanent.
The products are:
–Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel
–Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs
–Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs, Kids Size (a discontinued product)
The FDA has received more than 130 reports of loss of sense of smell associated with the use of these three Zicam products. In these reports, many people who experienced a loss of smell said the condition occurred with the first dose; others reported a loss of the sense of smell after multiple uses of the products.
“Loss of sense of smell is a serious risk for people who use these products for relief from cold symptoms,” said Janet Woodcock, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER). “We are concerned that consumers may unknowingly use a product that could cause serious harm, and therefore we are advising them not to use these products for any reason.”
People who have experienced a loss of sense of smell or other problems after use of the affected Zicam products should contact their health care professional. 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.
The FDA has issued Matrixx Initiatives, maker of these Zicam products, a warning letter telling it that these products cannot be marketed without FDA approval.
“Companies have an obligation to the public to demonstrate to the FDA that their products are safe, particularly when there is evidence they may be causing serious adverse events, and they are marketed for minor, self-limiting conditions like the common cold,” said Deborah M. Autor, director of CDER’s Office of Compliance.
Health care professionals and consumers are encouraged to report adverse events (side effects) that may be related to the use of these products to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online, by regular mail, fax or phone.
–Online: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/medwatch-online.htm
Just heard about the Zicam today (6/16/09). I have terrible hayfever and just discovered Zicam (on others’ recommendations). For 2 weeks I have been using the Seasonal Allergy Spray (every day several times a day) and the Extreme Congestions spray occasionally; do either of these 2 products contain the zinc that is in question in the other formulas? At this point I have not lost my sense of smell or taste and have stopped using the Zicam.
Inventor of Zicam has 2 diploma mill degrees
In fact Dr. R. Steven Davidson had a ph.d/mba from the American University of Asturias (Spain). In fact he had a MBA from a diploma Mill with only having a High School education. Co Inventor had gotten a warning letter about promoting bogus bird flu cure all
“And it’s not easy to take the company’s claims for safety of the product at face value when the man who claims to have developed the product, one Robert S. Davidson, parts his name in the middle (as in R. Steven Davidson) and boasts a Ph.D. in “biopharmacuetical project management” from the so-called American University of Asturias, a Spanish-based diploma mill “university” that was shut down by the Spanish government after being caught issuing what purported to be advanced degrees in almost anything, to anyone whose checks didn’t bounce. “
=========================================
The Men Behind Zicam
Tuesday, January 31, 2006; Page HE05
Like other scientific entrepreneurs, Robert Steven Davidson thought zinc might be a promising treatment for the common cold. But unlike many inventors of drugs, Davidson and his colleague Charles B. Hensley, who hold patents on Zicam, have unusual backgrounds.
Davidson received a bachelor’s degree in 2004 from a “virtual” university, Excelsior College in Albany, N.Y. He lists himself as a PhD, a degree he obtained from an unaccredited and now-defunct university in Spain.
His colleague and co-inventor Hensley holds a doctorate in physiology from the University of Southern California and is currently chief executive officer of PRB Pharmaceuticals based in Cypress, Calif. Hensley recently received a warning letter from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about the sale over the Internet of an unapproved drug his company makes to treat bird flu. Hensley previously developed a weight-loss remedy that involves sniffing “specially developed aromas.”
Davidson, who has contributed articles to Men’s Fitness magazine, says his doctorate in biopharmaceutical project management and his MBA in international finance were earned at the American University of Asturias in Asturias, Spain, in the late 1990s. The school was closed in 2000 for violations of Spanish law, records show, and is considered a diploma mill by American authorities.
Davidson, who sold his interest in Zicam several years ago when he left to start another biotech firm, said he was unaware of any problems with the school in Spain. It is unusual to earn a doctorate before a bachelor’s degree, he said in an interview, but his advanced degrees are legitimate. “I did work, a research paper and a dissertation.”
He declined to discuss whether any safety questions arose during Zicam’s development and testing.
Davidson said he met Hensley years ago at Cleveland Chiropractic College in Los Angeles, where he was taking classes and Hensley was a professor.
On Nov. 23, the FDA sent Hensley a letter about Vira 38, an antiviral compound marketed on PRB’s Web site as effective in treating influenza, bird flu and SARS. The regulatory agency told Hensley he was violating federal law by selling an unapproved drug and warned that he and his company could face further legal action including “seizure of illegal products.”
Hensley did not respond to e-mails or telephone calls.
– Sandra G. Boodman
COLD-EEZE SQUEEZE
By CHRISTOPHER BYRON
November 8, 2004 — Remember when all of a sudden there wasn’t enough flu vaccine to go around, and the subject somehow came up in one of the Presidential debates? And remember when George Bush said, in so many words, “Look, it’s simple, just don’t get a flu shot this year…”?
Well, out here at Curmudgeonly Arms, where the baleful moan of the cold north wind sweeps over the moors from November to May sending the body count of its victims soaring, the Curmudgeonlies stood brave, tall and true, for we figured, No flu vaccine? No problem!
That is because we Curmudgeonlies have long known the secret to a winter free of the wheezing and sneezing that afflicts the rest of humankind when the cruel winds blow.
Our secret is, of course, Cold-eeze throat lozenges, which a person may purchase at any reputable pharmacy (or indeed 7-Eleven), for $5.00 at retail give or take ? which is to say, for roughly half the price of a standup pepperoni-and-cheese pie at Ray’s Famous Pizza.
So imagine our consternation upon learning, from a wanderer through the wintry gloom, that Cold-eeze ? when spritzed into the nose as a nasal aerosol instead of taken orally as a lozenge ? might not actually kill you but can apparently destroy your sense of smell.
What’s that? Cold-eeze nasal spray, a health menace?
Yes, verily it is so ? at least if one is to judge from a lawsuit that was filed last week in Bucks County, Penn.
As reported by our informant, his words broken by the staccato of his hacking and consumptive cough, eight different consumer plaintiffs in the suit say they used Cold-eeze nasal spray and now wouldn’t be able to smell Osama bin Laden if he were standing right next to them.
Fortunately, the honest tradesmen at Quigley Corp., producers of Cold-eeze, had already begun heading for the nasal spray exit door when the lawsuit hit.
They had informed their distributors in mid-September that the company had decided to drop the nasal spray product line because consumer demand for it hadn’t developed as expected.
THIS was followed in due course by last week’s lawsuit, and quicker than you could say “Anybody got a Kleenex?” the company response had hit the PR newswires, asserting that even a “cursory look” at the suit had been enough to convince Quigley brass that the complaint was “frivolous and without merit,” and that the company intends to defend itself “vigorously” because the only thing Cold-eeze destroys is germs.
Being of an odd and suspicious sort, it thus took no time at all before our shingle-wracked manservant, Igor, could be observed struggling up the twisting stairway to my writer’s garret at the top of the north tower.
Presenting himself breathless at the doorway, and with his hunchback blocking further progress, he declared: “Here, sire, take a whiff of these…!” and placed upon the floor before me a folio of Quigley Corp. documents.
He had arranged them for ex-Clinton national security affairs advisor Sandy Berger to filch from the files of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Then cackling in his special way, he departed, maneuvering his hunchback down the darkened staircase and across the courtyard to his abode in the corn crib, his parting words still ringing hauntingly, and mysteriously, in my ears: “Beware the ides of evil, sire, when darkness exhalts the moor.”
The documents that Igor left behind for my perusal do give one pause, for they show that lawsuits by customers claiming damages from the use of Cold-eeze nasal spray had been accumulating against Quigley since as early as February of this year, when a Connecticut woman named Paige D. Davidson claimed using Cold-eeze nasal spray destroyed her sense of smell and that she’d never gotten it back.
Then in September, a Minnesota couple ? Sheryl and Howard Polski ? claimed the same thing, asserting that they too used had some Cold-eeze nasal spray, in December 2003, and that their colds had gone away but so had their senses of smell and taste, never to return.
In fact, even as lawyers for the Polskis were preparing their complaint, Quigley’s brass were informing the company’s distributors that they were dropping the nasal spray form of Cold-eeze from Quigley’s product list. A month later, on Oct. 13, the company filed a Form 8K report at the SEC, making the news public to everyone.
QUIGLEY’S strategy for waving away these claims with words like “frivolous” and “without merit” seems to rest heavily on the assertion that Cold-eeze nasal spray was exhaustively safety-tested in what last week’s press release from the company described as a “double-blind, placebo-controlled study” prior to introducing it to the market in September 2003.
But Igor’s documents showed that references to double- blind placebo-controlled studies have appeared nearly two dozen times in Quigley’s SEC filings over the last seven years, and the references have nothing to do with the nasal spray form of the treatment.
Instead, the references all involve one or the other of two early 1990s studies that purported to test the efficacy of the key ingredient in Cold- eeze ? so-called zinc gluconate ? when consumed in lozenge form as a means of treating the common cold.
In fact, it would appear that Quigley would never have become involved in the marketing of a zinc-based nasal spray had it not been for the apparent success a rival company called Matrixx Initiatives Inc. had been having with its own zinc- based nasal spray, which it called Zicam, and had begun marketing in late 1999.
But by the time Quigley announced in February 2003 that it was going to be bringing its own version of a zinc-based nasal spray to market later that year, Matrixx Initiatives was already hip-deep in lawsuits from nearly 100 customers who claimed that they’d used Zicam and lost their sense of smell.
Those claimants now top 175 and are continuing to grow.
And it’s not easy to take the company’s claims for safety of the product at face value when the man who claims to have developed the product, one Robert S. Davidson, parts his name in the middle (as in R. Steven Davidson) and boasts a Ph.D. in “biopharmacuetical project management” from the so-called American University of Asturias, a Spanish-based diploma mill “university” that was shut down by the Spanish government after being caught issuing what purported to be advanced degrees in almost anything, to anyone whose checks didn’t bounce.
Requests for an interview with Davidson were fielded at his California office by a cagey fellow who identified himself simply as “Dave,” and promised to get the request to Davidson.
At press-time neither man had returned the call.
* Please send e-mail to: cbyron@nypost.com
130 people with problems out of how many millions ? I wonder sometimes why we are so quick to jump on the drug bandwagon. So what part of all this makes you think that the pharmaceutical companies are in it to make you feel better or help you? There are millions of over the counter drugs that cause who knows how many millions of victims each day. And yes, some problems can definately be avoided by reading the instructions and yes, they should give you the endless list of side effects. But I have used Zicam without any problems or loss whatsoever. I am also using chemo-therapy to keep my MS at bay so maybe the whole trick is to figure out how drugs should fit into our lives and take responsibility for what we swallow or put up our noses. No such thing as a miracle drug everyone. Not even for the common cold. I can think of alot of other products which should be pulled before Zicam.
This is for Peggy. Just because Zicam didn’t affect you the same way it affected others doesn’t discount thier claims. Some people can’t eat peanuts but others can. Some people get horrificly sick by a bee sting but i on the other hand won’t be affected as much. Everybody’s body chemistry is different. And there are far more victims to Zicam than the news staries are saying. Matrixx settled out of court for 12 million dollars with 340 other victims that aren’t included with that 130 people figure that they are saying. The FDA found over 800 complaints in the files of the makers of Zicam this past May, however, the makers of Zicam NEVER reported those complaints to the FDA. You yourself are being treated for MS but others with your condition can’t take the same drugs due to horrific side effects. So don’t discount victims claims just because you THINK this product works for you.
I am SOOO sorry for everyone who has suffered by using this medicine. Although I have in the past used the swabs, I don’t think I want to press my luck any longer. I just can’t imagine the pain and suffering of those who have had their lives altered so completely. It doesn’t matter it is 130 people or 130,000 people… what matters is that the product is causing problems. If it is not safe, then it shouldn’t be sold. Either make it safe or get rid of it. My heartfelt sympathies to all of you who have suffered pain and loss. May God Bless You.
When I first saw the hubub yesterday about Zicam on a news-aggregator site I sometimes read, I thought it was just a bunch of nanny-state ideological skeptics on a “nothing-better-to-do” sort of crusade. Then that evening I read the news story, and I realized that my initial reaction was a misguided emotional one based on the fact that I have used Zicam and appreciated its effectiveness in blunting the impact of the vicious cold viruses that circulate in wintertime here in the Milwaukee area.
The sheer number of people here who say they have permanently lost their sense of smell is more than enough to make me want to give up using this product. I am embarassed for the insensitive people who have been insulting and dismissive to those whose smell and taste (can you even *imagine* never being able to properly taste food again???) has been destroyed by a bunch of cheeseball charlatans looking to make a fast-buck.
I suspect that there is a great deal of individual variation in vulnerability to damage by this product, which is why some people have no problem with it and some other people are badly harmed by it. But the fact that the harm described is at all possible should mean that it is good advice to not use Zicam.
I’ve used it for years, and it works great. It sounds like people who failed to follow the directions may have had a problem at times. Perhaps you might also consider that with the millions of treatments, many more people avoided serious complications as a result of the zicam lessoning their colds.
All they had to do was put a clear warning on their product. It’s unacceptable to put out a nasal spray product and not expect people to purposely or accidentally sniff it. If they had stuck with the nasal swabs and put a clear warning on the bottle, box, and instructions they would be fine. They should not lie and say the zinc does not cause smell loss. They clearly deserve what is happening to them especially when all of their competitors remove their products from the market when they saw a problem.
Sue — Thanks for understanding our problem. My sense of taste and smell is permanently altered. It is by far the hardest thing in life I will ever have to deal with. I am so glad for you that you have suffered no side effects. I would not wish this on anybody. Actually the number of people who have been affected by this product is in the thousands.
My ENT alone had treated over 10 patients who have developed smell loss from Zicam. Call any taste and smell clinic they will tell you how bad it is.
I don’t ususally post comments and I will admit that I did not read all of your comments. I have been using ZICAM chewable tablets for years when I feel the first signs of a cold and it works. You don’t have to use the one that goes in your nose – it’s not like you don’t have options.
When a product, used in a customary manner, is capable of inflicting life-long damage to two of the only five senses you have – WITH NO WARNING ON THE PACKAGE, you tend to get a little angry. It’s almost like a dirty trick was pulled on you. IT SURE WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE to have just a little warning on the package stating, “If not used strictly according to directions, the product contains zinc which has been known to cause damage to smell and taste”. Now come on folks, is this being unreasonable? Then WHY didn’t the company that makes Zicam DO IT?
I feel for those who have been affected. I have felt the burning sensation years ago when I first starting using it. I have since found, as instructed, that it is not to be shot up into the nasal cavity, just applied to the insides of the nostrils. That’s why the swabs work just as well. Anyway, I have 2 sons with asthma that is triggered by a cold virus. One son has spent several week long stints in the hospital as a result of a cold. Once was life threatening. The other would miss 2 weeks of school several times every fall. Zicam completely eliminated all that. 3 days of sniffles and they’re done. No coughing, not even a trip to the doctor. Now it will be back to the hospital and all the attendance problems. I just wish there was a way they could put a warning on it or make it prescription so people could still take it if the benefits outweigh the risks. If you want to get rid of your old zicam, please sent it to me.
I truly feel that zinc is not a cause of such side effects, I grew up with a mother who was a herbalist and all we had was homeopathic medicine. My whole family used all zicam products and we all are fine.
Did anyone think that maybe it might be an allergic reaction?
Antibiotics wont cure a cold but they will destroy your immune system and doctors are quick to prescibe them and no one asks questions, and their quick to partake.
Maybe there is something else in the product that caused it but they just don’t say because they would have to take many other things off the market as well.
As far as Im concerned if you are going to be using any cold remedies and you cant be bothered to read the instuctions before use thats your bad!!!
I firmly believe Zinc is not the cause of this.
My father lost his sense of smell from using antihitamine nose drops, specifically neosynephrine. Another guy I know also lost his sense of smell from antihistamine nasal sprays. Also, both my father and this other guy were smokers. I wonder how many of the people who used the Zicam also used these other types of sprays or are smokers. Of the thousands of people who use Zicam, only a few hundrend have allegedly been affected. That’s typical in any medication – FDA approved or not.
TO “THE GIRL”..If you can take off your homeopathic blinders for a second and face facts, you’d know that the history and usage of intranasal ionized zinc (doesn’t matter what kind, sulfate, gluconate, tannate, etc) on aniamals and humans is ugly. Your choice of failing to do any true research is sad. You, of all people should know that just because it says it’s homeopathic doesn’t mean it is AND doesn’t mean it’s safer.