US Drug Watchdog Howls Over Zicam Smell Loss

Washington, DCThe consumer advocacy group US Drug Watchdog is doing plenty of growling over Zicam smell loss now that the cold and flu season has arrived. Matrixx, the manufacturer of Zicam, has been cited for allegedly knowing for years about the potential for zinc in Zicam to affect the sense of smell but failed to address the issue. Now, consumers suffering from lingering Zicam side effects are seeking out a Zicam lawyer.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) earlier this year came down hard on Matrixx and in particular three of its Zicam cold remedies that are delivered directly to the nasal cavity: Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel, Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs and Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs-Kids Size.

The product contains zinc. Many consumers have complained about smell loss (scientific name 'anosmia) and, as the sense of smell has a relationship to taste, a concurrent reduction or complete loss of sense of taste as well.

"Our worst case scenario is a consumer gets a cold or the flu, goes to their medicine cabinet and uses a recalled Zicam product," according to a statement from US Drug Watchdog dated yesterday via PRWEB. "The consumer uses a recalled product and then they lose their sense of taste or smell, because the Zicam recall notification was only on the news for one day (June 16th 2009).

"There could be millions of US households that have recalled Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel, or Zicam Cold remedy swabs in their medicine chests that need to be thrown away. However, if you have lost your sense of taste or smell, do not throw the recalled product away. It's evidence you will need."

Zicam Loss of Smell

The foregoing is an important prerequisite for any consumer intent on pursuing a claim. However, beyond advising consumers on the proper way to prepare themselves for litigation in the event they are harmed by Zicam, the advocacy group is most concerned about the health of American consumers now that we are entering the critical cold and flu season.

"Our greatest fear is that with the cold and flu season already here, completely innocent consumers will use one of the recalled Zicam products and lose their sense of taste, or smell forever."

The group is appealing to women and mothers to spread the word.

"Make sure these recalled Zicam products are not in your medicine cabinets at home. We know of a young woman who had a great job in the food and wine industry. She has lost her sense of taste and smell.

"She is now unemployed."