Zicam
US, Canada and Puerto Rico
Zicam products are a popular line of homeopathic remedies used to lessen the length of a common cold. Before long, these intranasal cold remedies began being associated with anosmia, a lost sense of smell. If you or someone you love has used Zicam and is having difficulties smelling, please contact the dangerous drug lawyers at Balkin & Eisbrouch, LLC today.
About Zicam
A popular product since it hit the market in 1999, Zicam generated some $96 million for its manufacturer, Matrixx. The active ingredient in Zicam products is zinc gluconate, which can impact your nasal passages with time, affecting your sense of smell.
Since Zicam is a homeopathic remedy, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) did not require clinical testing. This factor, combined with the lack of warning about the product’s potential side effects, left many users unaware that their sense of smell may be in jeopardy.
The Seriousness of Anosmia
The loss of smell, called anosmia, should not be taken lightly. This condition can be detrimental to your overall health. For example, your sense of smell works to warn you about dangers, such as:
- Fires
- Poisonous fumes
- Gas leakages
- Rotten food that should not be consumed
- Allergies
In some cases of Zicam use, anosmia is also associated with a loss of taste. Because you can no longer enjoy the taste of food, some anosmia sufferers do not consume the proper diet to maintain good health.
Public Health Alert
In June of 2009, the FDA warned consumers not to use three Zicam intranasal cold remedies:
- Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel
- Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs
- Kid’s size Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs
This public health warning followed more than 100 reports of an impaired sense of smell. It was discovered that the link between Zicam products and anosmia has been known for quite some time, yet Matrixx continued to market these drugs without warning consumers of this possible side effect.
The FDA advised consumers to stop using the intranasal products and contact their health care professional if they experience a decreased sense of smell after using any zinc-containing products.
Surgery may be able to restore your sense of smell. However, there is no guarantee that your sense of smell will ever return, or that your symptoms of anosmia will ever subside.
A lost sense of smell is a serious condition. If you have been injured from Zicam and you are a resident of the United States, Canada or Puerto Rico, please contact the dangerous drug attorneys at Balkin & Eisbrouch, LLC today to discuss your claim.
