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Zicam News

We have compiled the latest news on the Zicam lawsuits alleging loss of smell. Some of the news articles on this page require Adobe Acrobat to view.

FDA Warns Against Use of Zicam
The New York Times | June 16, 2009

Federal drug regulators warned consumers to stop using Zicam, a popular homeopathic cold remedy, because it could damage or destroy their sense of smell.

The action is an early indication that the Obama administration is likely to take far more aggressive enforcement actions against drug companies than the Bush administration did.

FDA: Zicam May Damage Sense of Smell
 
CNNMoney.com | June 16, 2009

Consumers should discontinue use of Zicam Cold Remedy nasal gel and related products because they can can permanently damage users' sense of smell, the government said Tuesday.

In a press release, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration advised consumers to stop use of three over-the-counter Zicam Cold Remedy products: nasal gel, nasal swabs and the discontinued "kids size" swabs.

The FDA warned the three products could cause anosmia, the loss of sense of smell, which "may be long-lasting or permanent."

Zicam: Leaving You Senseless?

zicam sense of smell

ABC15 | February 8, 2007

ABC15 in Phoenix, Arizona aired a story titled "Leaving You Senseless?" that reported on the link between Zicam and anosmia.

Click here to watch the news report.

Zicam: Smelling Trouble?
 
Washington Post | April 11, 2006

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has launched an inquiry into the advertising and promotion of Zicam Cold Remedy and half a dozen similar over-the-counter cold products manufactured by Matrixx Initiatives of Phoenix.

The company disclosed the investigation last week in a filing to the Securities and Exchange Commission, saying it was designed to determine whether Matrixx engaged in "unfair or deceptive acts or practices." Matrixx has been asked to provide information to the agency by April 27.

Paying Through the Nose
 
Washington Post | January 31, 2006
The manufacturer of Zicam Cold Remedy has agreed to pay $12 million to settle 340 lawsuits brought by consumers who claim the popular over-the-counter zinc nasal gel damaged or destroyed their sense of smell. The Phoenix-based manufacturer, Matrixx Initiatives, says the agreement announced January 19th is not an admission of liability, but rather an effort to end most of the litigation over the homeopathic remedy.
Zicam Maker Settles Lawsuit Over Loss of Smell
 
TheDenverChannel.com | January 20, 2006

A corporation that was the subject of a 7NEWS investigation has agreed to settle a massive lawsuit.

Matrixx Corp. makes the cold remedy Zicam. In 2004, 7NEWS Investigators revealed that some people who used Zicam's zinc nasal spray lost their sense of smell and taste.

Matrixx to Settle Litigation
 
Reuters | January 19, 2006

Matrixx Initiatives Inc. on Thursday said it agreed to settle a consolidated product liability lawsuit in Arizona, alleging that its Zicam Cold Remedy caused people taking it to lose their senses of smell and taste.

FDA Reviewing Complaints Whether Zicam Causes Loss of Smell
 
TheDenverChannel.com | October 6, 2004

Hundreds of consumers say Zicam has caused them to lose their sense of smell and now the Food and Drug Administration is taking notice, 7NEWS Investigator John Ferrugia said.

For the past year, doctors at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center Taste and Smell clinic have been documenting the loss of smell among users of Zicam's intransal spray, which contains zinc glutonate.

Study Supports Claim Some Nose Sprays Can Cause Loss of Smell
 
TheDenverChannel.com | September 30, 2004

There's new information on a cold spray that hundreds of consumers claim caused them to lose their sense of smell. 7NEWS Investigator John Ferrugia broke the story about these claims earlier this year and now, another popular medication is coming under scrutiny.

Hundreds of consumers have reported losing their sense of smell after using over-the-counter nose sprays containing zinc glutonate. Most reported using the intranasal spray made by Zicam, although there also have been complaints about a similar product made by Cold-Eeze.

Cold Reality: Patients Say They Lost Sense of Smell
 
NBC5.com | May 19, 2004

There's new information on a cold spray that hundreds of consumers claim caused them to lose their sense of smell. 7NEWS Investigator John Ferrugia broke the story about these claims earlier this year and now, another popular medication is coming under scrutiny.

Hundreds of consumers have reported losing their sense of smell after using over-the-counter nose sprays containing zinc glutonate. Most reported using the intranasal spray made by Zicam, although there also have been complaints about a similar product made by Cold-Eeze.

Popular Cold Remedy Has Unexpected SIde Effects
 
CBS 2 Chicago | April 29, 2004

It is one of the most popular cold remedies on the market. In five years, millions of bottles of Zicam have been sold with the promise that it could shorten the duration of a cold. But now, some claim it has an unexpected side effect that's robbing them of something we all take for granted.

Zicam, Cold-Eeze Safety Comes Under Scrutiny
 
Los Angeles Times | March 24, 2004

The safety of zinc gluconate nasal sprays taken to ease symptoms and shorted the duration of the common cold is under review following reports that people lost their sense of smell after using the products.

The reports involve people who used Zicam Cold Remedy nasal gel or Cold-Eeze Cold Remedy nasal spray. Both are sold over the counter.

Zicam Admits No Studies Done on Loss of Smell
 
TheDenverChannel.com | March 4, 2004

The makers of the nationally advertised cold remedy Zicam now admit they don't know if their nasal gel could cause loss of smell.

The stunning information came after a 7NEWS investigation found that someone consumers who have used Zicam report the loss of smell.

FDA Investigages Nasal Zinc Products
 
TheDenverChannel.com | February 10, 2004
Some users of zinc nasal spray made by Zicam and Cold-Eeze have lost their sense of smell. After 7NEWS Investigator John Ferrugia broke the story last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is accepting complaints on those products through its hot line.
User Says Zicam Robbed Her Sense of Smell
 
TheDenverChannel.com | February 5, 2004

A nationally advertised cold product that may now be in your family medicine cabinet could rob you or your children of the ability to smell—to smell gas or a fire in your home or to enjoy the aroma and taste of your food, 7NEWS investigator John Ferrugia said.

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