Zicam is a popular brand of medication for cold and allergies. It is manufactured and marketed by Zicam, LLC owned by its parent company called Matrixx Initiatives Inc., an American company. It is a homeopathic drug composed of ingredients such as galphimia glauca, histamine dihydrochloride, luffa operculata and sulfur. The major ingredient of this drug, although, is zinc. Research on zinc based remedies support the fact that it helps reduce common cold and subside the severity of cold symptoms, help heal hay fever and other respiratory allergies.
The Zicam cold remedy products are available in the form of nasal swabs, nasal gels, oral sprays, chewy tablets and gel swabs. The active ingredient in Zicam Cold Remedy is zinc gluconate. Research on the role of zinc gluconate has been conflicting on the benefits of its consumption. The Harvard Family Health Guide has suggested that zinc has little or no constructive effects on the cure of common cold. Zicam cold remedies have shown a lot of unwanted side effects. This has been brought to light by hundreds of its consumers. One of the major side effects of Zicam Cold Remedy is the loss of sense of smell. This is a condition known as anosmia. On the basis of a survey conducted by the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) more than 130 people have reported of symptoms of anosmia since the use of the Zicam products in 1999. In 2006, $12 million was the cost incurred by Matrixx Initiatives Inc. to settle a massive number of lawsuits i.e. around 340 lawsuits from the consumers of Zicam Cold Remedies stating that the use of Zicam product has resulted in total loss of smell.
According to the many complaints received it was observed that the application of the nasal swabs and gels at the first instance itself, led to burning sensation in the nasal/sinus passages, whereas the skin on the nose experienced pain and would hurt when touched. The nose swells and turns hot. This reaction, although, lasts for 3 hours it is followed by some very severe side effects like loss of both smell and taste sensations. In most cases the loss of smell and the loss of taste is permanent and irreversible. Other than amnesia, the other more common side effects that lasted for a short period are formation of itchy, red welts known as hives on the face, arms and legs, burning sensation during passage of urine, discomfort and irritation of the eyes, sinus headache and soreness of eyes and nose.
Thus the FDA issued a warning in June 2009, making the consumers aware of the side effects of Zicam Cold Remedies causing amnesia. Since the warning, the company has withheld the manufacture of three of their products viz, Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel, Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs and Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs-Kids size. Regardless of all the legal procedures, Matrixx still denies all the allegations and says that some people failed to follow package instructions and insert the nozzle too far up their noses.
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