FDA Warns Against Certain Zicam Productsby Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger 23 Jun 2009 12:01 PM Last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration sent a warning letter to the makers of Zicam concerning two products: Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel and Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs. (A third, discontinued product was also mentioned.) In response, the makers of Zicam withdrew the two products from the market, pending review with the FDA. It's important to note that other products in the Zicam line are not included in this warning, and have not been recalled. What's the problem? The FDA has received more than 100 reports of people using the Cold Remedy Nasal Gel and Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs losing their sense of smell temporarily or permanently. Some experienced anosmia (loss of the sense of smell) after the first dose; some experienced anosmia with repeated use. The main ingredient -- zinc gluconate -- is generally recognized as safe by the FDA when added to food. A representative for the FDA expressed concern that people may be unknowingly using a product that can cause serious, lasting harm. Another FDA officer pointed out that companies need to demonstrate that their products are safe -- especially where there is evidence that the product may be doing more harm than good. The makers of Zicam stand by their product, and plan to present the FDA with scientific evidence that the products that received the warning are actually safe. They claim that there is no link between anosmia and the Cold Remedy Nasal Gel or Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs. If you have experienced a loss of the sense of smell after using one of the recalled Zicam products, please contact your doctor as soon as possible. Losing your sense of smell can be serious -- without smell, would you be able to notice a gas leak or something burning? If you would like a refund on one of the recalled Zicam products, please visit their website for more information. The company is also willing to exchange the recalled products for one that has not be recalled -- the line has many other cold care options that seem to be safe for use. Learn more about Aimee Amodio  Aimee is a fiction writer... dog lover... music lover... Relevanthealth tags User Comments No comments on this article yet. Be the first to comment! Community Tags product recall, smell, sense of smell, zicam Discuss this article
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