FDA Zicam Warning Raises Concerns; Lawyers and Law Firms Investigate Claims.
June 19th, 2009
We’ve received several questions about the safety of Zicam and the recent FDA warning. In an effort to inform regular contributors to our forum, we’ve decided to address some of the most common questions.
Zicam is the name of an over the counter cold remedy marketed by Matrixx Initiatives, Inc., a large marketer of healthcare products. Zicam purports to reduce the severity and duration of the common cold. The active ingredient in Zicam is a form of the mineral Zinc. Zinc, especially Zinc gulconate, is supposed to have therapeutic effects for suffers of the common cold, thought the results of experiments designed to test the effectiveness of zinc in fighting or preventing the common cold have been inconclusive to date. Zicam has been sold in many varieties. The brand name has even been expanded to health aids designed to combat other health ailments besides the common cold and to products that do not contain zinc. However, the zinc containing formulas designed to combat the common cold are available as nasal gels, nasal gel swabs, oral lozenges, and oral sprays. Only those products with a nasal delivery system are made subject to the FDA Zicam Warning.
The FDA warning is due to reports of anosmia, or loss of sense of smell. The letter urges consumers not to use nasally delivered Zicam products. Many retailers and pharmacies are voluntarily removing these items from their shelves. The FDA stated that Zicam products may not be marketed without FDA approval, but has stopped short of a full recall. The makers of Zicam dispute the validity of the FDA’s claim. Matrixx Initiatives issued a response stating that the FDA’s action was “unwarranted” and that Zicam products “do not cause anosmia.”
Zicam has been the subject of controversy before. In 2006, the makers of Zicam settled a large number of lawsuits dealing with claims of loss of smell (anosmia) for $12 million, but the company did not admit fault and its products remained available to consumers. Our firm is currently investigating Zicam claims for viability. If you are concerned that you or a loved one may have experienced complications as a result of this drug, contact our law firm for a no cost consultation.
Disclaimer: We are licensed Texas attorneys, and base our writings on Texas law. This information is current and accurate at the time of posting. We do not update previous posts if/when the laws change. This blog does not constitute legal advice.